Celebrations marking Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) recent IPL victory turned chaotic near Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, with reports indicating that several people were injured during a stampede. The incident occurred as enthusiastic fans gathered in massive numbers to welcome and celebrate with the newly crowned IPL champions.

News reports indicate varying figures regarding the casualties. Initial reports suggested that at least three to four people were feared dead and many others injured. However, later updates have stated that seven RCB fans have died and at least fifteen others were injured in the stampede. The injured were immediately rushed to Bowring Hospital for medical attention.

The overwhelming excitement surrounding RCB's victory, their first IPL title in 18 years, fueled the massive turnout. Fans thronged the streets, eager to catch a glimpse of their favorite players, especially franchise icon Virat Kohli, who has been with the team since the league's inception. The team's arrival at the HAL Airport was met with a hero's welcome, with fans lining the streets to cheer on the squad.

The celebrations included a meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at Vidhana Soudha, followed by a scheduled fan engagement program at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, the large gatherings led to traffic congestion, and there was a discussion about the possibility of calling off the open-top bus parade from Vidhana Soudha to the stadium.

To manage the expected crowds, the police had made security and traffic arrangements. Despite these efforts, the situation became uncontrollable as fans surged towards the stadium gates, resulting in a stampede. Police resorted to a lathi charge in an attempt to manage the crowd, but the situation had already escalated.

Eyewitness accounts describe a scene of jubilation turning into chaos, with a frantic rush as the stadium gates opened. The incident has cast a shadow over the victory celebrations, prompting concerns about crowd management and safety measures at large public events. Authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the stampede to determine what went wrong and how to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The incident has deeply impacted the RCB team, its management, and fans. While the team celebrated their long-awaited victory, the news of the injuries and fatalities has brought a sense of grief and somberness to the occasion. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety and crowd control measures, especially during large-scale public celebrations.