The city of Bengaluru is in mourning following a tragic stampede that occurred on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, amidst celebrations for Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL victory. The incident, which took place near the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, resulted in at least 11 fatalities and left dozens injured.

News of the tragedy prompted immediate reactions from national leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed his profound grief and offered condolences to the bereaved families. In a statement released shortly after the incident, the Prime Minister described the mishap as "absolutely heartrending." He conveyed his deepest sympathies to those who lost loved ones in the stampede and offered prayers for the speedy recovery of 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 Prime Minister stated.

The stampede occurred as an overwhelming number of fans gathered outside the stadium to celebrate RCB's victory. While the stadium has a capacity of around 30,000 people, it is estimated that close to 2-3 lakh people turned up outside the gates, leading to chaotic scenes. The situation quickly spiraled out of control, resulting in the tragic loss of life and numerous injuries.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also expressed deep sorrow over the incident. He visited the injured at Bowring and Vaidehi Hospitals, offering condolences to the families of the deceased and ensuring that the injured receive the best possible medical care. He stated that the government did not anticipate such a massive turnout, with crowds exceeding expectations. While a large gathering outside the Vidhana Soudha saw no casualties, the situation at the Chinnaswamy Stadium proved fatal.

Former Chief Minister and MP Basavaraja Bommai has called for a high-level probe into the tragedy, emphasizing the need to understand how such a devastating incident could occur during what should have been a joyous celebration.

Hospital officials reported that the casualties were primarily young people, with victims' ages ranging between 20 and 30 years old. Medical personnel are working to provide care for the injured, while authorities are working to manage the aftermath of the stampede and provide support to the affected families.

The incident has cast a pall over what was intended to be a day of celebration for RCB fans. While a felicitation ceremony was held inside the stadium, with short speeches from Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar, the joyous atmosphere was overshadowed by the tragedy that unfolded outside.

The Bengaluru stampede serves as a stark reminder of the importance of crowd management and safety measures at large public gatherings. As investigations into the incident commence, authorities will likely focus on identifying lapses in planning and security that contributed to the tragedy, with the aim of preventing similar incidents in the future.