Bengaluru, June 4 (LIVE): A celebratory atmosphere turned tragic on Wednesday as a stampede outside Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed 11 lives and left 33 others injured during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL victory parade. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed the casualties, stating that an overwhelming crowd of nearly three lakh people had gathered outside the stadium.
Massive Crowd, Limited Control
According to CM Siddaramaiah, while RCB’s felicitation ceremony was taking place inside the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, around one lakh fans had assembled outside the Vidhan Soudha. However, the deadly stampede occurred outside Chinnaswamy Stadium, where nearly three lakh people gathered unexpectedly. “We didn’t anticipate such a massive turnout. No one did,” said the CM. “This tragedy has overshadowed the team’s historic win.”
Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar echoed similar sentiments, confirming the presence of lakhs of fans and stressing that the government is currently working to normalize the situation.
PM Modi, Kharge Express Grief
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident, extending condolences to the bereaved families and praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge called the incident “shocking” and stated, “Celebrations must never come at the cost of human lives.” He urged the Karnataka government to conduct a thorough review to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Eyewitnesses Recall Horror
Mahesh, an eyewitness at the scene, recounted the chaotic moments: “Girls were trying to enter the stadium to catch a glimpse of Virat Kohli and the team. I saw one fall, but nobody helped. Even the police were overwhelmed.”
Former India cricketer Madan Lal reacted emotionally, saying, “People will never forget this horrifying incident—or Virat. While people were dying outside, celebrations continued inside. It’s shocking and tragic.” He also suggested that victims’ families consider filing a ₹100 crore lawsuit against RCB and the state government.
BCCI, State Authorities Respond
BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla called it a sudden and unfortunate tragedy and promised full support to the victims’ families. “We are coordinating with the Karnataka government and IPL franchise to offer all possible help. This is not a political matter; it’s about human lives,” he said.
Notably, the Karnataka government had already cancelled RCB’s planned roadshow due to safety concerns but failed to anticipate the massive crowd buildup outside the stadium.
RCB’s Historic IPL Win Turns Bittersweet
RCB had lifted their maiden IPL title just a day earlier, defeating Punjab Kings by 6 runs in a thrilling final. The entire city erupted in celebration, with thousands welcoming the team at the airport and later during the Assembly and stadium events. The celebrations, however, have now been marred by a preventable tragedy.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
