RCB Victory Celebrations in Bengaluru Turn Deadly as Stampede Kills 11, Several Injured Outside Stadium
RCB Victory Celebrations Turn Tragic in Bengaluru as Stampede Claims 11 Lives, Several Injured
What was supposed to be a historic and joyous celebration for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans turned into a night of tragedy on Wednesday as a massive stampede outside Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed the lives of 11 people and left several others injured. The chaos unfolded after RCB returned from Ahmedabad following their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title win, prompting thousands of enthusiastic supporters to gather in and around the stadium to catch a glimpse of their heroes. However, the sheer magnitude of the crowd overwhelmed local authorities, spiraling into a deadly situation.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed the death toll and expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident. According to officials, the stampede occurred when an uncontrollable surge of fans attempted to enter the stadium premises where a felicitation ceremony was being organised by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) in honor of the victorious RCB squad. Eyewitnesses recounted terrifying scenes as fans scaled fences and walls, many of whom did not have entry passes but were desperate to witness the celebration. The situation escalated at multiple entry points, with law enforcement struggling to maintain order. To contain the swelling crowd and prevent further chaos, police were forced to resort to a mild lathi-charge.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, reacting to the tragedy, conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and urged fans to prioritise safety over emotion. “What was meant to be a celebration of RCB’s IPL victory has turned into a tragedy, bringing deep sorrow and shock. My condolences to those who lost their lives. I offer my heartfelt sympathies to their families. Let there be love for the team, but nothing is more valuable than life. I request everyone to please stay safe,” he stated.
The impact of the stampede extended beyond the stadium vicinity, disrupting normal life across central Bengaluru. The city’s Purple Line metro witnessed record-breaking congestion, with stations such as SV Road, Indiranagar, Halasuru, and Trinity overflowing with commuters and fans. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation had to issue repeated advisories, warning passengers not to board overcrowded trains and to stay away from the doors. Despite the efforts, metro services struggled to cope with the overwhelming footfall, with scenes reminiscent of large-scale political rallies or religious festivals flooding social media platforms.
Compounding the crisis, major roads leading to the stadium were blocked, traffic was diverted, and emergency services found it difficult to navigate through the crowded streets. Many fans were seen mobbing metro stations and overflowing onto adjacent streets, adding to the logistical nightmare. Authorities, who had earlier cancelled an open-top bus parade citing security reasons, are now being criticised for severely underestimating the crowd turnout and failing to implement robust crowd control and safety measures.
This heart-wrenching incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of crowd management and coordinated public safety planning during large-scale public events. While RCB’s historic IPL win will remain etched in cricketing history, the joy of the victory has been overshadowed by an avoidable tragedy that has left the city in mourning.
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