RCB Victory Turns Tragic: Stampede Outside Chinnaswamy Stadium Claims 11 Lives

The celebrations following Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL 2025 final win turned tragic when a stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium caused the deaths of at least 11 people and left 33 others injured. Thousands of enthusiastic RCB fans crowded the stadium, with many more outside, overwhelming police efforts to manage the crowd.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident, offering condolences to the families of the deceased and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. Distressing videos of the stampede circulated on social media, showing chaotic scenes and efforts to assist those affected.

Authorities swiftly transported the injured to Bowring Hospital and Vaidehi Hospital in Bengaluru, where six remain in critical condition. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy visited Bowring Hospital to meet with those injured, acknowledging that the tragedy had overshadowed what should have been a moment of celebration.

The Chief Minister emphasized that despite precautionary measures, the surge of people near the stadium led to the unfortunate incident. He urged everyone to prioritize safety in such situations, emphasizing the importance of precaution over excitement.

Deputy CM D K Shivakumar expressed deep sadness over the loss of lives, offering condolences to the victims' families and stressing the paramount importance of life over passion.

Meanwhile, the Opposition BJP criticized the Congress government in Karnataka, accusing it of negligence for failing to implement crowd control measures and basic facilities. They condemned what they termed as the government's focus on photo opportunities instead of ensuring safety.

Earlier in the day, the state government had canceled a planned victory parade due to security concerns.