Bengaluru Stampede During RCB Victory Parade Leaves 11 Dead, Dozens Injured
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In a heartbreaking turn of events, celebrations for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) maiden IPL title turned into chaos on Wednesday, as a massive stampede outside Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium left 11 people dead and 33 injured. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed the tragic toll, stating that the state was unprepared for the overwhelming turnout of fans.
Unprecedented Crowd Gathers for RCB Victory Celebrations
The city was set to celebrate RCB’s first Indian Premier League (IPL) championship after their win against Punjab Kings by 6 runs. However, what was meant to be a joyful moment quickly spiraled into tragedy.
According to CM Siddaramaiah, while around one lakh people had gathered outside the Karnataka Assembly to welcome the team, an estimated three lakh fans swarmed the Chinnaswamy Stadium for a scheduled celebratory event. The authorities had not anticipated such a massive turnout, leading to inadequate crowd control measures.
“We did not expect such a crowd. No one did. We were not prepared. This tragedy has overshadowed RCB’s historic win,” said the Chief Minister.
Small Gate and Poor Crowd Management Blamed for Chaos
CM Siddaramaiah pointed to organizational flaws and lack of coordination between the government and the cricket association. A small entry gate at the stadium became a bottleneck as a sea of people tried to force their way in, eventually breaking down the entrance and triggering the stampede.
“Our duty was to provide security, which we did. But managing the stadium crowd was the cricket association’s responsibility,” Siddaramaiah added.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also reacted strongly, stating, “A celebration should never cost human lives. The government must ensure every possible support reaches them. Safety protocols must be reviewed and strictly followed for all public events.”
Security Lapses Spark Political Blame Game
The incident has triggered a political outcry in Karnataka. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge urged the state government to act immediately to prevent such disasters in the future, emphasizing that public celebrations should never come at the cost of human lives.
BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla assured that the cricket board would assist the victims’ families in every possible way, urging against politicizing the tragedy.
However, opposition leaders were quick to hold the Karnataka government accountable. BJP MLC Chalavadi Narayanaswamy said the administration had no clue about the expected crowd and failed to implement basic safety precautions. State BJP President BY Vijayendra accused the government of prioritizing publicity over preparation.
Eyewitness Describes Harrowing Scene Outside Stadium
Mahesh, a local resident who attended the parade, recounted the terrifying moment. “People were desperate to see Virat Kohli and the team. Many girls tried to push their way into the stadium. I saw one girl fall right in front of me, and no one helped her. Even the police seemed helpless in that chaos.”
A child also fainted during the crowd surge, prompting police to use mild lathi-charge tactics in an attempt to control the situation.
Government Announces Compensation, Judicial Probe
Calling it a “massive tragedy,” CM Siddaramaiah announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives. Injured individuals will receive free medical treatment, and the government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident, with a detailed report expected within 15 days.
“This should not have happened. We are deeply saddened. The event was meant to celebrate a win, not end in loss,” the CM said.
RCB’s Historic Win Overshadowed by Human Tragedy
The victory made them the eighth team to win the IPL in its 18-season history. But the triumph now carries a shadow of grief as the city mourns its losses.
As investigations begin and political tensions rise, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of thorough planning and crowd management in public events.
