BENGALURU, June 4, 2025 — What was meant to be a historic celebration of Royal Challengers Bangalore’s first IPL title turned into a devastating tragedy as a stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed at least 11 lives and left over 30 people injured.
The incident occurred during RCB’s victory parade and celebration following their triumph over Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 final. Thousands of fans had gathered outside the iconic stadium to join the festivities, but the overwhelming crowd led to a deadly stampede near Gate 5 of the stadium.
The Tragedy Unfolds
Hospital sources confirmed that at least 11 people, including a six-year-old girl, lost their lives in the stampede. Medical teams at multiple hospitals reported that efforts to revive seven people brought in were unsuccessful. Over 30 others sustained injuries, with many in critical condition.
The tragedy occurred when a temporary slab over a drain near Gate 5 reportedly broke under the pressure of the massive crowd, triggering panic among the fans. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with fans saying the crowd was “out of control” and “too much” for the available security arrangements.
“Even the police presence was insufficient to handle the situation,” said one eyewitness who described feeling safe earlier in the day but noted how the situation deteriorated as more people arrived.
Inadequate Crowd Management
The narrow gates at Chinnaswamy Stadium, particularly Gate 5, became bottlenecks as thousands of fans rushed to enter. Police were reportedly outnumbered by the surging crowd, leading to dangerous overcrowding in confined spaces.
The decision to hold dual celebrations — both at the stadium and at the Vidhana Soudha — created additional crowd management challenges. Transport systems were severely affected, with metro lines closed due to overcrowding and fans unable to find alternative transportation, forcing many to walk long distances.
Official Response
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who attended the felicitation ceremony, stated that officials wrapped up the event quickly within 10-15 minutes once they became aware of the situation. However, criticism has emerged over the timing, as the ceremony continued even as the tragedy was unfolding outside.
“We were not aware of the deaths at the moment the ceremony was ongoing, only that there was some crowd trouble,” Shivakumar said while visiting injured victims at the hospital.
An aide to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah described the crowd as “unexpected,” stating that arrangements were made on “very short notice” as the match was just the previous day and players had commitments to leave the country.
Calls for Accountability
The incident has sparked widespread calls for accountability from organizers, government officials, police, and the entire administration. Critics have described the tragedy as involving “gross negligence” and questioned why adequate crowd control measures weren’t implemented despite the predictable massive turnout.
“Public safety must be prioritized over public spectacles,” said one commentator, adding that “human life in this country comes too cheap.”
The Karnataka government, IPL officials, and the franchise are all facing scrutiny over the inadequate preparations for such a massive public event.
A Pattern of Preventable Tragedies
This incident highlights a recurring problem in India’s management of large public gatherings. Similar tragedies have occurred in the past, raising questions about whether lessons are being learned and proper systems implemented to prevent such disasters.
The narrow stadium gates, described by some as potential “death traps” when dealing with uncontrolled crowds, represent a systemic issue that extends beyond this single incident.
Moving Forward
As investigations begin, authorities are under pressure to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that comprehensive measures are put in place to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The celebration of RCB’s long-awaited IPL victory, which should have been a moment of pure joy for the cricket-loving city of Bengaluru, will now be remembered as a stark reminder of the critical importance of crowd safety and proper event management.
The injured victims continue to receive medical treatment at various hospitals across the city, while families of the deceased mourn what should have been a day of celebration.
