“We were unable to keep count of the injured."
Celebrations for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) historic IPL 2025 win ended in tragedy. A stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed the lives of more than 10 people, including a woman and a child.
At least 50 others were injured in the crush, which occurred near the Cubbon Park gate.
Fans had gathered in large numbers for a victory parade to honour the team’s triumph. However, the happy moment turned deadly.
Three people were declared dead on arrival at Bowring Hospital. Four more died at Vydehi Multispecialty Hospital on Vittal Mallya Road.
Sources at Bowring said the casualty numbers were overwhelming, as a staff member admitted:
“We were unable to keep count of the injured.”
Relatives of the deceased wept outside the hospital, as chaos unfolded across the city. Traffic gridlock around the stadium delayed emergency services.
Some victims were rushed to hospital in private vehicles and police jeeps.
The stampede began when hundreds attempted to force their way through a single gate. Police resorted to a lathi charge to control the crowd.
Some fans attempted to scale the stadium’s compound wall. One man broke his leg while falling from it.
Others administered CPR to the injured as they waited for help.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah rushed to Bowring Hospital in the aftermath.
A separate incident occurred in Peenya. A young person celebrating RCB’s win was attacked by unidentified assailants. His throat was slashed with a sharp object, but he survived.
In a viral video, the victim said: “The miscreants who were also going towards the bar attacked me with a sharp object without any provocation.
“After I tried to catch one of them, the accused ran away in the dark.”
He was taken to a nearby private hospital and treated. Peenya police are investigating.
Elsewhere in the city, police dispersed unruly crowds with mild force. Men were seen climbing buses and blocking traffic. Lathi charges were reported at Banashankari and the Bengaluru-Tumakuru main road.
The tragedy drew sharp criticism from the Opposition. BJP leaders blamed the Congress-led state government for what they called “criminal negligence”.
BJP Karnataka posted on X: “No basic arrangements. Just chaos. While innocent people died.”
It accused CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar of “shooting reels” instead of ensuring safety.
“This is criminal negligence. Blood is on the hands of Congress government.”
Leader of Opposition Chalavadi Narayanaswamy said:
“It’s unforgivable. Many lives lost, including a child, during RCB’s victory celebrations at Chinnaswamy Stadium.
“The stampede was not an accident, it was a result of the Congress government’s total failure in crowd management and security.
“Celebration turned into tragedy because this government was asleep.”
The RCB squad landed in Bengaluru, where Deputy CM DK Shivakumar welcomed them at the airport.
The players then travelled to Vidhana Soudha for a felicitation ceremony hosted by CM Siddaramaiah.
Crowds lined both sides of the road to catch a glimpse of the squad. However, heavy rain later cut the official event short.
The police and government are now under pressure to explain how a celebratory event turned deadly.
The incident comes days after violence erupted across France during the celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League victory.
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