Tragedy Strikes RCB Victory Celebrations in Bengaluru: 11 Dead, Several Injured in Stampede
A jubilant celebration turned into a heartbreaking tragedy on Wednesday evening as a stampede outside Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed the lives of 11 people and left several others injured. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed the incident and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives.
The stampede occurred when an overwhelming number of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans gathered outside the stadium to catch a glimpse of their team, fresh off their historic first-ever IPL title win.
The massive crowd at multiple entry gates quickly became unmanageable, prompting police to resort to a lathi-charge in an attempt to restore order. Injured individuals were rushed to Bowring Hospital for treatment.
Leaders React with Condolences and Calls for Accountability
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi expressed deep grief over the incident, emphasizing that no celebration is worth the cost of a human life.
“In this hour of grief, I stand with the people of Bengaluru. The Karnataka government must provide all possible support and relief to the affected families,” he said in a post on X.
“This tragedy is a painful reminder: no celebration is worth a human life. Every safety protocol for public events must be reviewed and strictly enforced — lives must always come first.”
Indian National Congress (INC) President Mallikarjun Kharge also extended his condolences, stating: “The loss of precious lives and the injuries sustained by many in this unfortunate incident are profoundly distressing.
My thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost loved ones, and I wish a speedy recovery to the injured.”
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah acknowledged the tragedy but defended the administration’s stance, saying, “Such incidents have happened elsewhere too.
I’m not justifying it, but I didn’t politicize those tragedies. If Congress leaders choose to criticize, that’s a separate issue. Or the Karnataka government has not made such remarks.”
Cricketing Community and State Leaders Express Grief
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra shared his emotional reaction on X, writing, “Speechless. Numb. A victory parade for an IPL win claims innocent lives. Heart goes out to the affected and their loved ones.”
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar echoed the grief, calling the incident “deeply shocking.” He said, “What was meant to be a celebration of RCB’s IPL victory has turned into a tragedy, bringing deep sorrow.
My condolences to those who lost their lives. Let there be love for the team, but nothing is more valuable than life. I request everyone to please stay safe.”
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar also expressed condolences, tweeting, “What happened at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, is beyond tragic. My heart goes out to every affected family. Wishing peace and strength to all.”
Chaos Unfolded Due to Overcrowding and Lack of Passes
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had organized a felicitation ceremony for the RCB team following their triumphant return from Ahmedabad.
However, the turnout far exceeded expectations. Many fans arrived without valid entry passes, leading to overcrowding and chaotic scenes at the gates.
Witnesses described people scaling walls and fences in desperation to enter the stadium, contributing to the collapse of crowd control.
The tragedy has raised serious questions about crowd management, public safety protocols, and event planning in high-profile gatherings. As the city mourns, there are growing calls for accountability and reforms to prevent such incidents in the future.
