TFP Bureau, Bengaluru, June 5, 2025: The joyous celebrations following Royal Challengers Bangalore’s first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title turned into a nightmare on Wednesday, when a deadly stampede claimed at least 11 lives and injured more than 50 people near the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Thousands of fans had gathered for the victory parade, resulting in a catastrophic crowd surge outside the stadium and near the Vidhan Soudha.
Eyewitnesses report that a temporary slab covering a drain gave way under the weight of the crowd eager to catch a glimpse of their heroes. The sudden collapse triggered panic, causing people to fall and get crushed in the ensuing chaos. Many of the deceased were young fans aged between 13 and 35 years.
Among the fatalities, six died at Bowring Hospital, four at Vydehi Hospital, and one at Manipal Hospital. Over 50 injured individuals have been admitted to various hospitals, with some in critical condition.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and extended his condolences to the victims’ families, while wishing a swift recovery for the injured. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for each deceased family and assured free treatment for those hurt in the incident. He also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the causes of the stampede, demanding a report within 15 days. The Chief Minister acknowledged that the crowd had swelled to 2-3 lakh people, far exceeding the stadium’s 35,000 seating capacity.
The tragedy has ignited serious questions about the crowd management and safety arrangements by the police and event organizers. Despite anticipating a large turnout, adequate security and control measures were reportedly lacking. BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia criticized the organizers’ planning, while some fans alleged police used lathicharge, escalating the panic.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai expressed deep condolences over the loss of lives in the stampede. He called the incident “extremely sad” and urged the Karnataka government to take swift relief and rescue measures. “We pray for the peace of the departed souls and speedy recovery of the injured,” Shri Sai said, hoping lessons will be learned to prevent such tragedies in the future.
This heartbreaking event highlights the urgent need for stricter crowd control protocols at large public and sporting events to safeguard lives.
