Bengaluru’s celebratory mood turned tragic on Wednesday when a stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed the lives of at least eleven people and left over 50 others injured. The incident occurred during a victory parade held to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) historic first Indian Premier League (IPL) title win.
Thousands of ecstatic RCB fans had gathered near Vidhana Soudha and around the stadium, waving flags and chanting slogans in support of their team. The situation spiraled out of control when the massive crowd attempted to enter the stadium premises, reportedly overwhelming the available security and crowd-control measures.
Among the deceased is at least one woman, with many others rushed to nearby hospitals in critical condition. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos and panic as the crowd surged forward uncontrollably.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar publicly apologized for the lack of proper crowd management, admitting that the authorities were unprepared for the sheer number of attendees. Meanwhile, the opposition BJP sharply criticized the state government, accusing it of negligence and failure to implement basic safety protocols.
What was meant to be a historic celebration for Bengaluru has now become a scene of mourning and outrage, with questions being raised about the planning and execution of the high-profile event. Authorities have launched an inquiry into the incident, while the city reels from the tragedy that marred a long-awaited sporting victory.