RCB’s IPL title celebration ends in tragedy: 11 dead, more than 50 injured in Bengaluru stampede

BENGALURU: What should have been a moment of glory turned into a devastating tragedy as Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) maiden IPL title celebration ended in chaos. Massive crowds gathered outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday, leading to a stampede that claimed 11 lives and left over 50 injured. Among the deceased were a Kannur native named Shivaling and a 14-year-old girl. Several of the injured remain in critical condition at various hospitals across the city, raising fears that the death toll may rise.

Initial reports suggest that poor crowd management and organisational failure were behind the disaster. While the stadium can accommodate around 40,000 people, an estimated 300,000 fans turned up at the venue. Confusion over entry points and a lack of clear communication regarding passes led to a surge when one gate was opened. Many victims were trampled after falling in the crowd. The collapse of a drain slab on the stadium compound further escalated the tragedy.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased and has ordered a magisterial-level inquiry into the incident. The government will also bear the full cost of treatment for the injured.

RCB had clinched their first-ever IPL title on Tuesday night by defeating Punjab Kings, ending an 18-season-long wait. Team members arrived in Bengaluru by noon on Wednesday, carrying the trophy. They were welcomed at the airport by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and later received at the Vidhana Soudha (State Assembly) by the Chief Minister, ministers, and MLAs.

The plan was to move the team from Vidhana Soudha to Chinnaswamy Stadium in an open-top bus parade, but due to security concerns and heavy rain, the city traffic police denied permission. Learning of the parade cancellation, fans who had lined both sides of the road surged toward the stadium, causing the uncontrollable crowding.

• The team management and the Karnataka State Cricket Association had scheduled two separate celebrations—one at Vidhana Soudha for VIPs and another at Chinnaswamy Stadium for the public.
• As most VIPs, including the Chief Minister, were at Vidhana Soudha, police deployment was concentrated there, leaving the stadium with inadequate security.
• By early afternoon, a massive crowd had already gathered at the stadium gates, but there was neither proper police control nor crowd management by organisers.

Celebration amid tragedy sparks outrage
The stampede occurred just as the reception was underway at Vidhana Soudha. By the time the injured were rushed to hospitals, the team had arrived at the stadium via a separate gate and had begun the public celebration. Despite news of the fatalities emerging, the event continued as planned, drawing criticism. RCB players, including Virat Kohli, continued to celebrate on stage even as the full scale of the disaster unfolded outside the venue. The lack of response and sensitivity from the organisers and team management has now sparked a public outcry.