Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) first-ever IPL victory celebration turned to chaos and injuries for several fans on Wednesday. A stampede near the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where fans had gathered for the team’s victory celebration, has reportedly claimed the lives of at least 11 individuals and left around 33 injured.
The incident unfolded as thousands of fervent fans, eager to join the festivities, surged towards the stadium from various gates. The immense pressure led to a deadly crush, with scores of people caught in the ensuing pandemonium.
RCB issues a statement
Royal Challengers Bengaluru release a statement over the stampede, “We are deeply anguished by the unfortunate incidents that have come to light through media reports regarding public gatherings all over Bengaluru in anticipation of the team’s arrival this afternoon. The safety and well-being of everyone is of utmost importance to us. RCB mourns the tragic loss of lives and extend our heartfelt condolences to the affected families. Immediately upon being made aware of the situation, we promptly amended our program and followed the guidance and advice of the local administration. We urge all our supporters to please stay safe”.
Netizen’s react
Social media platforms were ablaze with furious posts from users questioning why the celebrations inside the stadium continued uninterrupted even as reports of deaths and injuries emerged.
“Unbelievable! Victory celebration broadcast of RCB parade continues. No mention of stampede. NOT DONE,” a user on X (formerly Twitter) expressed in disbelief. Another user, equally outraged, posted, “1 parade, 0 brains, & now 7 funerals. What kind of idiots plans a mass celebration without barricades, without strategy? This isn’t a celebration gone wrong, this is an administration that went brain-dead.”
The public outcry intensified with calls for accountability. “The most gut-wrenching aspect of the #ChinnaswamyStadium stampede is the shocking apathy shown—celebrations continued as bodies lay lifeless. Where is our humanity? These young Kannadigas died for nothing, without even respect in death. It’s disgraceful, inhuman, and unforgivable. Those responsible must be named, shamed, and held criminally accountable,” another user passionately wrote on X.
Rescue and relief work
Authorities have confirmed the grim toll, stating that the bodies of two victims are at Bowring Hospital, with four others at Vaidehi Hospital. Additionally, six individuals are currently receiving critical care in the ICU of Vaidehi Hospital, and three more are admitted to the ICU at another facility. Sources have further corroborated the deaths of two other persons.
Police personnel at the scene worked frantically to transport the injured to ambulances, rushing them to the nearby Bowring Hospital. However, their efforts were severely hampered by the overwhelming crowds on the roads, which significantly impeded the movement of emergency vehicles.
Ironically, the Karnataka government had previously cancelled the planned victory parade from Vidhana Soudha to Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium, citing security concerns. This pre-emptive measure, however, failed to prevent the devastating events that unfolded during the subsequent celebration event at the stadium’s vicinity.