Stampede at RCB Victory Event in Bengaluru Leaves 11 Dead, Dozens Injured; PM Modi and CM Siddaramaiah Respond
In a heartbreaking turn of events, a celebration marking Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) historic IPL victory turned tragic on Wednesday after a stampede near Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed the lives of at least 11 people and left over 30 injured.
Thousands of fans had gathered to attend a victory celebration organized at the stadium, following RCB’s first-ever IPL championship. The stampede occurred as crowds surged from multiple entry points in a rush to gain access to the venue.
Prime Minister and State Leaders Express Condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the incident via X (formerly Twitter). Quoting the PM, the PMO posted:
“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.” Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visited Bowring and Vaidehi hospitals where the injured are being treated. He announced an ex gratia of ₹10 lakh to the families of the deceased and assured that all medical treatment for the injured would be provided free of cost.
“It is an unimaginable tragedy that unfolded during what was meant to be a moment of celebration,” the CM said during a press briefing. “The turnout exceeded all expectations. We estimated a crowd slightly above the 35,000-capacity of Chinnaswamy Stadium, but over 2 to 3 lakh people gathered. Among those who lost their lives, most were young boys and girls.”
Crowd Control Overwhelmed
Authorities had earlier cancelled a victory parade from Vidhana Soudha to the stadium, citing security concerns. Despite this, large crowds began gathering on Tuesday night. Police personnel had been on high alert, attempting to manage the surging crowds throughout the night. The chaos intensified on Wednesday as fans from different parts of the city and state converged, leading to congestion that even delayed emergency ambulances. Most of the victims reportedly died due to suffocation and being trampled in the dense crowd.
Investigation and Accountability
The state government has ordered a magisterial inquiry to determine the exact cause of the tragedy and to identify lapses in crowd control or event planning.
“We will hold those responsible accountable. No one anticipated such a turnout, but that does not absolve us from responsibility,” Siddaramaiah said. “This is a painful lesson, and we will ensure strict measures are in place for future events.” Doctors have confirmed that all the injured are out of danger, though several remain under observation.
