At least 11 people have been killed and dozens injured in a stampede at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday, where people celebrated the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) win in IPL 2025.
Thousands of people gathered across the city to celebrate RCB’s win as the players arrived from Ahmedabad – where the final match between RCB and Punjab Kings was held.
Large crowds also turned up on the Vidhana Soudha (Legislative Assembly) premises to attend the felicitation programme of the RCB by the government.
Celebrations erupted across Bengaluru after the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL final on Tuesday.
It was RCB’s maiden IPL title after an 18-year wait.
The players were felicitated by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar at the Vidhan Soudha, before they were set to arrive at the stadium. According to eyewitnesses, fans thronged the venue. As the stampede occurred outside the stadium, policemen were seen carrying the injured to an ambulance.
A child was among those who died in the stampede, while several others were in serious condition.
Dozens of people injured in the rush have been admitted to the Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital. Police have been struggling to control the situation.
Bowring Hospital in Shivajinagar confirmed six deaths and four died at Vaidehi Hospital on Mallya Road.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi criticised the Karnataka government for poor planning and crowd mismanagement.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said the crowd was “uncontrollable”. “I apologise for the overcrowding,” Mr Shivakumar said. “We arranged more than 5,000 personnel. This is a young vibrant crowd, we can’t use lathi on them.” On BJP’s allegations on the stampede-like situation, Mr Shivakumar said, ” They are there to allege and we are there to protect…yes, I am going to the hospital…”
BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla said, “The government did stop the roadshow, in order to avoid stampede or any such situation. But, it was not anticipated that a stampede would happen outside the stadium. Everybody should work together on the damage control”
(Picture Courtesy: PTI)
