RCB Victory Celebrations Turn Tragic; 11 Feared Dead in Stampede Outside Stadium

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, June 4, 2025: What was meant to be a jubilant celebration marking Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) first IPL title win in 18 years turned tragic on Wednesday, as a massive stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium reportedly left at least 11 people feared dead and several others injured.

The incident occurred when thousands of fans gathered near the stadium for a felicitation ceremony organised by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). The crowd, eager to catch a glimpse of the players, quickly became unmanageable.

Heart-wrenching visuals showed police and emergency personnel rushing unconscious and injured fans to nearby hospitals, including Bowring Hospital. Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of chaos, with several people fainting amid the crush of the crowd.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who was present at the event, expressed regret over the incident. “I apologise for the overcrowding,” he said, adding that over 5,000 police personnel had been deployed. “This is a young, vibrant crowd; we cannot use force on them.”

Despite the state government cancelling a planned victory parade from Vidhana Soudha to the stadium due to security concerns, massive crowds still poured into the city centre. The situation was further strained at nearby Metro stations, where footage showed heavy congestion and people spilling onto staircases and platforms.

Many fans were seen climbing trees and walls around the stadium to get a view of the players. At Bowring Hospital, ambulances made multiple trips to and from the stadium, ferrying injured fans.

Security personnel had reportedly been on duty managing crowds since Tuesday night. “We’ve been trying to maintain order and prevent any untoward incidents,” a senior police officer told IANS.

Earlier in the day, Deputy CM Shivakumar welcomed the RCB team at the airport, personally handing bouquets to each player. Star batter Virat Kohli was greeted with both the RCB and Kannada flags in a symbolic gesture of regional pride.

An official inquiry has been ordered into the incident.