Bengaluru, June 5, 2025 — A day of joy turned into heartbreak as a tragic stampede near the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru claimed 11 lives and left 47 injured. The incident happened during public celebrations for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) after their first-ever IPL title win.
Tens of thousands of fans had gathered to celebrate with their team. Although authorities had canceled the open-top bus parade due to crowd concerns, the sheer number of attendees created an uncontrollable situation, leading to a deadly crush outside the stadium.
Virat Kohli, RCB’s star player, expressed his grief on social media, writing:
“At a loss for words. Absolutely gutted.”
The RCB franchise also issued a heartfelt statement:
“We are profoundly saddened by the heartbreaking incident near the stadium. Our deepest sympathies are with the victims, their families, and all those affected.”
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed that most victims were young fans who had come to witness the celebrations. Many were students and passionate RCB supporters. One grieving father said, “He died in an RCB shirt. He danced when they won. Now he’s gone.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident “deeply distressing” and extended his condolences to the families of the deceased.
An investigation is now underway, and the state government has promised full support to those impacted. RCB has also pledged to aid in relief efforts and ensure improved safety measures for fans in the future.
This tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the importance of crowd safety, even in moments of joy.
