Joy Turns to Tragedy : 11 Killed in Stampede During RCB Victory Celebrations in Bengaluru
A Day of Joy Turns to Mourning
A historic moment for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and their loyal fans tragically ended in chaos on Wednesday, as a massive celebration in Bengaluru spiraled into a fatal stampede. The team’s maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title win, after an 18-year wait, was supposed to mark a jubilant occasion. Instead, it resulted in the death of 11 people and injuries to at least 47 others.
Crowds Swell Beyond Expectation
The tragedy unfolded near M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and Vidhana Soudha—two of Bengaluru’s busiest landmarks—as tens of thousands of fans gathered to witness what was meant to be a grand victory parade. By 3 p.m., nearly 50,000 people had gathered within a one-kilometre radius of the stadium. Despite this overwhelming turnout, officials admitted they had vastly underestimated the number of attendees.
Sudden Parade Cancellation Sparks Confusion
Originally, RCB had announced a celebratory open-top bus parade beginning at Vidhana Soudha and ending at the stadium. However, due to safety concerns, the Bengaluru Traffic Police called off the event suddenly around noon. The change was poorly communicated, leading to confusion and frustration among fans who had already begun to gather.
Even after the event was called off, the crowd stayed, hoping to catch a glimpse of the players. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was scheduled to felicitate the team at Vidhana Soudha, and fans climbed trees and nearby buildings, expecting the parade to proceed.
Stampede at Stadium Gate
Tragedy struck around 4 p.m. at Gate 3 of the Chinnaswamy Stadium. As the gate opened partially, a chaotic surge occurred, driven by both ticket-holders and fans without passes hoping to gain entry. The uncontrolled rush led to people falling over one another. Witnesses reported a lack of visible security personnel or proper emergency response.
Inayath, a local resident, described the moment: “As soon as the gate opened, there was a mad rush. People started falling, and there was no control.” Another eyewitness, Mahesh, said volunteers tried to form a human chain to help those trapped, including a woman who had to be resuscitated on the spot.
A Young Life Lost
Among the victims was 14-year-old Devyamshi from Kanur, who had arrived with her family to witness the celebrations. Her grief-stricken grandmother sobbed outside Bowring Hospital’s mortuary: “I lost my granddaughter.”
Political Fallout and Public Anger
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah acknowledged the misjudgment in crowd estimation, stating that over 2-3 lakh people had flooded the streets, with nearly one lakh surrounding Vidhana Soudha. The stadium, which holds only 35,000 spectators, had issued a limited number of free passes, contributing to the confusion.
Former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy condemned the incident, labeling it “an administrative disaster” and holding the state government responsible. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also offered condolences, describing the event as “absolutely heartrending” and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
Metro Disruptions and Lack of Coordination
Intensifying the disorder, Namma Metro officials were forced to skip major stations—Cubbon Park and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar—because of excessive crowding, further disrupting movement in the area.
Authorities have now acknowledged that the crowd control arrangements were insufficient. There was a breakdown in coordination among the police, metro services, and cricket authorities. The absence of barricades, vague instructions, and last-minute changes contributed significantly to the tragedy.
Government Response and Compensation
In response, the Karnataka government has announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹10 lakh to the families of each deceased victim. While investigations are ongoing, public demand for accountability and better planning is intensifying.
A City in Mourning, Demanding Answers
What should have been a celebratory milestone in RCB’s history has instead left Bengaluru mourning a devastating loss. The incident has sparked urgent calls for improved public safety protocols, clearer communication strategies, and coordinated efforts among civic agencies to prevent such disasters in the future.
