A tragic stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, has resulted in at least 11 fatalities and numerous injuries. The incident occurred on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, as massive crowds gathered to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title victory.
According to reports, thousands of fans had congregated outside the stadium, eager to partake in the jubilant atmosphere following RCB's win on Tuesday. The sheer volume of people overwhelmed the security measures in place, leading to a chaotic and ultimately deadly crush. Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that the crowd attempted to breach one of the stadium gates to join the celebrations. He expressed his sorrow over the incident, acknowledging that authorities had not anticipated such a massive turnout. Initial estimates suggest that while the stadium has a capacity of 35,000, the crowd size swelled to between 200,000 and 300,000 people.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar described the crowd as "very uncontrollable," highlighting the immense challenge faced by security personnel. Local news channels broadcasted distressing scenes of police officers and emergency responders tending to the injured and transporting the unconscious to ambulances. The injured, numbering over 30, are currently receiving medical treatment in various hospitals, with most reported to be in stable condition.
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 calling the incident "unfortunate." BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia commented on the "negative side of popularity," suggesting that the organizers should have planned better, given the intense passion for cricket in the country.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, calling the event "heartrending" and extending his thoughts to the families of the deceased.
Stampedes are unfortunately not uncommon in India, particularly during large gatherings such as religious festivals and public events. In January 2025, a similar tragedy occurred during the Maha Kumbh festival, where at least 30 people lost their lives. These incidents underscore the critical need for improved crowd management strategies and safety protocols at large-scale events to prevent such devastating losses of life. The Karnataka state government has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the stampede to determine the causes and identify potential lapses in security arrangements.
