Bengaluru: A stampede near Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium during celebrations for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s first-ever IPL title victory claimed at least seven lives and left ten others injured, according to sources. The tragic incident occurred when thousands of jubilant fans surged toward the stadium to celebrate with their heroes, including star player Virat Kohli.
The injured were immediately rushed to Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital for treatment. Authorities have since closed the entry and exit gates at the nearby Cubbon Park metro station to control further crowd movement.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru team had earlier visited Vidhana Soudha to meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah before heading to the stadium for a fan interaction. The excitement spiraled out of control as the stadium premises became overwhelmed with crowds eager to glimpse the IPL 2025 champions.
RCB secured a thrilling six-run victory over Punjab Kings in the IPL final held in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, marking a historic maiden title after an 18-year wait. The achievement was especially emotional for RCB stalwart Virat Kohli, who has represented the team since the inception of the Indian Premier League.
Political Fallout:
The incident has sparked political outrage, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slamming the Congress-led Karnataka government, calling the stampede a result of “criminal negligence.” BJP leaders have accused the state administration of failing to anticipate and manage the massive turnout, saying the “blood is on their hands.”
Authorities are now investigating the lapse in crowd control measures, while calls grow for accountability and better public safety protocols during large-scale events.
