INDIA: Shocking Aftermath of Bengaluru Stampede Claims 11 Lives

BENGALURU, June 4, 2025 – A joyous celebration turned tragic outside Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday evening, as a stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) Indian Premier League (IPL) victory parade left 11 dead and at least 33 injured. The chaos, caught on camera, has sparked outrage and demands for accountability, with visuals showing scattered shoes, panicked crowds, and desperate attempts to save victims.

The stampede occurred as thousands of fans gathered to honor RCB’s first-ever IPL title win after defeating Punjab Kings in the 2025 final, ending an 18-year wait for the coveted trophy. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah estimated that 2–3 lakh people converged on the stadium, which has a capacity of just 35,000, leading to severe overcrowding. Eyewitnesses reported that rumors of free tickets at Gate No. 7 triggered a mad rush, exacerbated by narrow entry points and inadequate crowd control. “The gates weren’t even opened, but people kept pushing,” an official told the BBC. Sudden rain and a lack of clear entry plans worsened the situation, with police struggling to manage the crowd and resorting to lathicharge near Cubbon Park Circle.

Harrowing footage shared by ANI and NDTV captured the moment tragedy struck, showing fans climbing over stadium walls, others trapped in the melee, and police rushing unconscious victims to hospitals. The road outside the stadium was littered with abandoned footwear, a stark symbol of the chaos. “I could avoid the worst only because I reached late,” said Sinchana N., a 25-year-old survivor, describing the lack of police coordination. Doctors at Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital, where six deaths were confirmed, attributed the fatalities to asphyxia caused by the crush.

The aftermath has drawn widespread condemnation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident “absolutely heartrending,” while President Droupadi Murmu and Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi expressed grief and urged stronger safety measures. RCB issued a statement expressing sorrow and announced financial compensation for victims’ families, noting they halted the program within minutes of learning about the stampede. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and RCB star Virat Kohli, who was reportedly left speechless, shared condolences online.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah ordered a magisterial inquiry and announced ₹10 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased, with free treatment for the injured. However, opposition BJP leaders, including R. Ashoka and HD Kumaraswamy, slammed the Congress-led government, calling the deaths “state-sponsored murders” due to poor planning and insufficient police deployment. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) clarified that the event was not their responsibility, with IPL chairman Arun Dhumal terming it a “tragic” lapse by local organizers.

Public outrage on social media has focused on crowd mismanagement, with netizens questioning why the event wasn’t postponed given the players’ other commitments. Deputy CM DK Shivakumar apologized for the overcrowding, stating, “We never expected such an incident. We couldn’t use lathis on a young, vibrant crowd.” Metro services near the stadium were briefly halted but have since resumed.

As Bengaluru mourns, the incident has raised urgent questions about event safety and crowd control in India’s major cities. The investigation’s findings will be closely watched, as the city grapples with the pain of a victory celebration turned deadly.

17GEN4.com

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