Last-minute changes, overwhelming crowds, and inadequate crowd control turned RCB’s IPL victory celebration into a fatal stampede, leaving 11 dead and dozens injured.
June 5, 2025 – BENGALURU – What began as a historic celebration for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) first-ever IPL title win ended in a devastating tragedy. The felicitation ceremony on Wednesday at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru turned deadly when a stampede claimed 11 lives and injured at least 47 others.
Authorities now admit that underestimation of crowd size, poor coordination, and last-minute decisions led to the disaster.
🕒 Timeline of the Bengaluru Stampede
2:00 PM:
Thousands of enthusiastic fans had already begun gathering outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium, hours before the official ceremony.
3:00 PM:
Crowds swelled dramatically, blocking roads around Vidhana Soudha. A heavy police deployment tried to manage the situation as the RCB team met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Also Read: Videos of Bengaluru Stampede Emerge: Show Panic, Overcrowding at RCB Event That Killed 11
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM:
Fans began pouring into the stadium premises from all directions. Originally meant to be a ticketed event, the last-minute announcement of free entry led to chaos. Barricades were breached as people rushed through narrow gates.
The crowd pressure intensified, and as barricades toppled, people fell on top of each other in the crush. Dozens of shoes, bags, and personal belongings were strewn across the ground as panic ensued.
Also Read: BREAKING: Delhi Police Posts Hilarious Reaction to RCB’s Long-Awaited Win!
5:00 PM:
Emergency responders arrived. Initially, three casualties were reported, but within an hour the death toll rose to 11. Visuals showed injured fans being carried to hospitals by strangers. Despite the tragedy, the felicitation event inside the stadium continued for some time, including a fireworks display.
What the Government Said
In a preliminary report submitted by the Director General of Police, the incident was blamed on the “unexpected turnout” of fans and the short window for preparation.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, addressing the media, said:
“We expected 35,000, but 2–3 lakh people turned up. Neither the cricket association nor the government anticipated this.”
He announced ₹10 lakh ex-gratia for the families of the deceased and free medical care for the injured.
Government Response and Apology
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar acknowledged the administration’s failure and offered a public apology:
“We are heartbroken by this tragic incident. This should have never happened. We stand with the people in their sorrow.”
We are heartbroken by this tragic incident. This should have never happened.
— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) June 4, 2025
We did not anticipate such an overwhelming crowd – while the stadium holds 35,000, over 3 lakh people had gathered.
To the families who have lost loved ones – we extend our deepest condolences. Words… pic.twitter.com/ExlnG9it8Y
Political Secretary Naseer Ahmed explained the tight schedule:
“The players had commitments and had to leave the country the same night. Everything was organised in a rush, right after the final match.”
Public Reaction and Aftermath
While celebrations went on inside, outside the stadium, fans were dying and many fainted in the heat and crush. The contrast between joy inside and horror outside has led to public outrage, and demands for accountability have grown louder.
An investigation has been ordered, and a full report is expected within 15 days.
Tags:
RCB stampede, Bengaluru tragedy, IPL 2025, M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Virat Kohli, Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar, crowd mismanagement, IPL celebrations