At least 11 people, including a kid, were killed in a massive rush at the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s IPL 2025 victory celebrations at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, while more than two dozen others were injured, turning what should have been a day of celebration into a tragic event in Bengaluru.
After winning their first IPL championship in Ahmedabad, RCB, captained by Rajat Patidar and supported by Virat Kohli, had just returned home. As hundreds of fans flocked to the stadium to see their heroes, the city was in a frenzy and emotions were running high.
There was a huge turnout because the celebrations were labelled a free-entry event by the authorities. Over 80,000 people are thought to have tried to enter Chinnaswamy Stadium, which can accommodate about 40,000 people.
It was simply overcrowded. From every side, people were pushing. Screams were heard and people began to tumble all of a sudden, according to 23-year-old Meera, a student who survived with only minor wounds.
When one of the gates collapsed under the weight of the rushing mob, the stampede started. The stadium’s confined passageways turned into choke spots. People began to tumble one after the other as panic swiftly spread. Online videos show frightened fans scaling barricades, with some yelling for assistance and others attempting to revive the wounded.
The traffic jam around the stadium caused many ambulances to be delayed even though they were summoned. Despite the prompt deployment of police and disaster response personnel, crowd control had already broken down.
Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayananda verified the deaths of 11 persons, including two juveniles and three women, during a late-night press conference. There are perhaps 27 more hospitalised people, some of them are in critical condition. Bowring and Vydehi hospitals reported the deceased.
“This was meant to be a festive occasion. The loss of life saddens us much. To find out where the system went wrong, an investigation has been started.
Late on Wednesday night, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hurried to Bowring Hospital. He told the media that it was a “black day” for Bengaluru and that the families of the deceased would receive ₹5 lakh in ex gratia compensation. He acknowledged that “there wasn’t enough time to make proper arrangements” and that the gathering was “uncontrollable.”
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who was also at the location, stated that a lathi charge was not an option because the majority of the audience was made up of youthful supporters. The audience was lively and young. In these circumstances, we cannot employ force,” he declared.
Despite the tragedy, RCB’s festivities went on for a little while. Before things got worse, Virat Kohli spoke to the crowded stadium and said:
“Ee sala cup namde” is no longer used. “Ee sala cup namdu” is the current phrase. All of you who have supported us over the past eighteen years deserve this trophy.
Kohli later expressed his sadness on social media, writing, “This is absolutely devastating.” The families are in my thoughts and prayers. Such suffering on a day that should have been joyful was unthinkable.
As the squad honoured the supporters, RCB captain Rajat Patidar led the victory lap and raised the trophy. The remainder of the team joined the CM and DCM for a formal felicitation event at Vidhana Soudha earlier in the day, even though certain foreign players, like as Phil Salt and Josh Hazlewood, had already departed for national duty.
However, mourning has now eclipsed the happiness of a long-awaited IPL victory. Outside the stadium, candlelight vigils have started, and there are questions about the team’s city parade’s future. Experts are criticising the absence of safety planning and crowd control procedures, and calls for responsibility are becoming louder.
Bengaluru is currently grieving over a day that started off triumphant but ended tragically.
