What was meant to be a jubilant celebration turned into a heartbreaking tragedy on Wednesday as a stampede outside Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed eleven lives and left more than 40 injured. The incident occurred as thousands of enthusiastic Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans gathered to celebrate the team’s historic maiden IPL title win.
The massive crowd, unable to be properly managed at key entry points, resulted in chaos that quickly escalated. Police, overwhelmed by the surge, resorted to a lathi-charge to bring the situation under control. The injured were immediately taken to Bowring Hospital for treatment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the loss of lives, calling the incident “absolutely heartrending.” In a message shared by the Prime Minister’s Office on social media, he offered condolences to the bereaved families and wished a swift recovery for the injured.
“The mishap in Bengaluru is absolutely heartrending. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that those who are injured have a speedy recovery,” the statement on X (formerly Twitter) read.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also expressed condolences and ordered a high-level probe into the incident. He said the government would provide compensation to the families of the deceased and ensure that the injured receive the best possible medical care.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had organized a grand felicitation event for the RCB players inside the stadium, following their IPL 2025 triumph in Ahmedabad. However, the lack of crowd control measures and insufficient coordination with law enforcement led to a tragic turn of events.
Authorities are now facing tough questions over planning and security lapses, as grieving families and a stunned public demand accountability for a celebration that ended in catastrophe.