Bengaluru, June 5, 2025 :-
What should have been a night of pure celebration turned into a devastating tragedy as a stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru claimed 11 lives and injured over 50 people. The victims included women and children, who had gathered in thousands to celebrate Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) historic first-ever IPL title win.
The joy and energy that filled the city quickly spiraled into chaos when the crowd swelled far beyond expected numbers. Witnesses said a sudden push in the packed crowd triggered panic and a stampede, as people struggled to escape the crush.
RCB icon and former captain Virat Kohli, heartbroken over the incident, posted on social media:
“At a loss for words. Absolutely gutted. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. This is heartbreaking.”
Emergency response teams were dispatched swiftly, and the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals. The Karnataka government has since ordered a high-level investigation into the incident. Meanwhile, RCB’s management has assured full cooperation with authorities and promised assistance to the families of those affected.
The team’s 2025 IPL triumph was supposed to mark the beginning of a new chapter in RCB’s journey. Instead, the city now mourns a moment that should have united it in joy — marred by grief and questions over safety at large public gatherings.
Officials and fans alike are now calling for urgent reforms in event safety and crowd control, to ensure such a tragedy never repeats itself.
