Bengaluru, 2025 – What was meant to be a joyous celebration of Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) historic IPL 2025 victory turned into a tragedy today when a stampede broke out outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The incident resulted in the death of 10 people, with more than 20 others injured, some critically.
The Tragic Incident at Chinnaswamy Stadium
RCB’s victory parade, which was scheduled to begin at 5 pm, was supposed to mark a grand celebration of the team’s first-ever IPL title. The excitement was palpable, with thousands of RCB fans gathered outside the stadium to cheer for their heroes. However, chaos ensued when the crowd became uncontrollable.
Reports indicate that the police had to resort to lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. This escalated tensions, and a stampede followed, leaving many fans trapped and injured in the melee. Women were among those killed in the incident, with several others reported to be in critical condition.
Why Did the Stampede Happen?
The stampede occurred due to the overwhelming crowd presence, which made it difficult for authorities to manage the situation. The players had initially assembled to meet Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah before heading to Chinnaswamy Stadium, where the victory celebrations were supposed to take place. However, the large number of fans lining the route to the stadium created an environment that led to the tragic incident.
As the crowd surged out of control, the lathi-charge was reportedly ordered to try and disperse them, but the result was catastrophic. Eyewitnesses describe the scene as chaotic, with people scrambling to escape the pushing crowd.
A Celebration Turned to Mourning
The RCB team’s victory, which had brought immense joy to their supporters, has now turned into a mourning moment for many. Fans across Karnataka, and particularly in Bengaluru, were celebrating RCB’s first-ever IPL victory after defeating Punjab Kings by just six runs. But the events outside Chinnaswamy Stadium have overshadowed the team’s achievement, as fans are left grieving the loss of their loved ones.
Questions Raised: Who is Responsible?
The tragedy has raised several questions. Who was responsible for allowing such a large crowd to gather? Who ordered the lathi-charge, and why wasn’t better crowd control implemented? As authorities investigate the incident, the focus will be on finding answers and ensuring such a disaster does not happen again.
This tragedy casts a shadow over what should have been one of RCB’s happiest moments and serves as a grim reminder of the importance of proper crowd management at large events.
