A tragic stampede occurred outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, India, on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, as thousands of cricket fans gathered to celebrate the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team's victory in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The exact number of fatalities remains unclear, with initial reports varying. Some sources indicate at least seven deaths, while others suggest the toll may be as high as eleven. Dozens more were injured in the crush.
The incident took place as massive crowds congregated for a victory parade honoring RCB's first-ever IPL title. Videos circulating online showed immense crowds, with people climbing trees and structures to catch a glimpse of the team. D.K. Shivakumar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, described the crowd as "uncontrollable" and apologized to the people of Bengaluru and Karnataka, acknowledging the situation had become unmanageable.
According to India Today, the stampede was triggered when a drain slab collapsed, trapping over 50 people. Local residents were seen in exclusive video footage desperately attempting to rescue those trapped in the narrow space.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the organizing body for the IPL, released a statement calling the incident "unfortunate." BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia commented on the tragedy, stating, "This is a negative side of popularity. People are crazy for their cricketers. The organizers should have planned it better."
Tejasvi Surya, a Member of Parliament from Bengaluru, urged the public not to let the tragedy overshadow the joyous occasion of RCB's victory. However, the incident has undoubtedly cast a pall over the celebrations.
Stampedes are a recurring problem in India, often occurring when large crowds gather at religious events or public celebrations. In January 2025, at least 30 people died during the Maha Kumbh festival. A similar incident in 2017 on a pedestrian bridge in Mumbai resulted in 22 deaths.
The incident outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium raises concerns about crowd control measures at large public events in India and highlights the need for better planning and safety protocols to prevent future tragedies.
