“Tragedy in Triumph: 11 Dead in Stampede During RCB Victory Celebrations in Bengaluru”

On June 4, 2025, a tragic stampede occurred outside Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) IPL victory celebrations. The event, intended to commemorate RCB’s maiden IPL title win, turned disastrous when an overwhelming crowd gathered, leading to chaos and a deadly crush. Reports confirm that at least 11 individuals lost their lives, including a child, and over 50 others sustained injuries indiatoday.

The stampede was precipitated by an estimated 2–3 lakh fans converging on the stadium, which has a capacity of only 35,000. Free passes distributed online contributed to the massive turnout. As the crowd surged, particularly near Cubbon Park, police attempted to manage the situation with lathi charges, but the sheer volume of attendees rendered control efforts ineffective .

In response to the tragedy, the Karnataka government has initiated a magisterial inquiry to investigate the lapses in crowd management and event planning. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed profound sorrow, stating that the joy of victory had been overshadowed by the pain of the tragedy . The incident has prompted widespread calls for stricter safety protocols and better planning for large-scale public events to prevent such disasters in the future.