A tragic incident unfolded outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, India, on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, as a massive crowd gathered to celebrate the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title win. The jubilant atmosphere turned chaotic, resulting in a crush that claimed the lives of at least 11 people and injured 47, according to local media reports.
The stampede occurred as thousands of cricket fans thronged the stadium, eager to welcome their victorious team. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru had clinched their maiden IPL title on Tuesday, defeating the Punjab Kings in a thrilling final. The victory sparked widespread celebrations across the city, with fans pouring onto the streets to express their joy and support.
As the crowd swelled outside the stadium, the situation became increasingly difficult to manage. D.K. Shivakumar, the deputy chief minister of Karnataka state, described the crowd as "very uncontrollable," acknowledging the challenges faced by the police in maintaining order. Local TV channels broadcasted scenes of chaos, showing injured individuals being carried away on stretchers and rushed to ambulances. There were also reports of young children fainting in the crush, with broadcasters showing police carrying them away from the crowds.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the governing body for cricket in India and the organizer of the IPL, released a statement acknowledging the unfortunate incident. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia expressed his condolences and emphasized the need for better planning in the future, stating, "This is a negative side of popularity. People are crazy for their cricketers. The organizers should have planned it better."
The incident has raised concerns about safety measures and crowd management at large public gatherings in India. Stampedes are unfortunately not uncommon in the country, particularly during festivals and religious events where massive crowds congregate. In January 2025, at least 30 people lost their lives in a stampede during the Maha Kumbh festival, a major Hindu pilgrimage.
The authorities have initiated an investigation into the incident to determine the exact cause of the stampede and identify any lapses in security arrangements. The focus will likely be on assessing the adequacy of crowd control measures, the availability of emergency medical services, and the overall preparedness of the authorities in handling such large gatherings.
