Bengaluru, June 5: What should have been a joyful night of celebration for cricket fans turned into an evening of heartbreak and sorrow. At least 11 people lost their lives and 33 others were injured in a tragic stampede outside Bengaluru’s iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) IPL victory celebration.
The crowd, driven by excitement and pride, had gathered in overwhelming numbers to witness their beloved team celebrate its first-ever IPL title after an 18-year wait. But the joy quickly turned into chaos. What began as cheers and anticipation spiraled into panic when the stadium gates—meant to control the crowd—couldn’t handle the unexpected swell of fans.
Among the deceased were bright young students and hopeful fans: Bhoomik (20), Sahana (19), Chinmayi (19), Divyanshi (13), and others. They had arrived full of dreams, clutching flags, wearing jerseys, eager to be part of history. Tragically, they became part of a nightmare no one anticipated.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, visibly emotional after visiting injured victims at Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital and Vydehi Super Specialty Hospital, called the incident an “unexpected tragedy.” He announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh for the families of the deceased and assured free treatment for all the injured.
“Our hearts are heavy. Most of the victims were young—students, sons, daughters. This should never have happened,” he said. He ordered a magisterial inquiry to be completed in 15 days to find out what exactly went wrong and who is accountable.
Eyewitnesses described a lack of clear entry points and poor crowd control. The stadium, designed for 35,000 spectators, was overwhelmed by nearly three lakh people—far beyond what anyone imagined. People broke through gates, pushing and falling, as confusion reigned.
The CM clarified that the government provided security, but the event was organized by the Karnataka State Cricket Association. “We are not here to defend or blame. We are here to ensure this never happens again,” he stated, refusing to politicize the tragedy.
As the city mourns, the victory feels hollow. Eleven dreams were extinguished in a moment of chaos. For now, Bengaluru remembers not the trophy, but the tears.
Let us hold space for the families, for the injured, and for those whose only mistake was showing up to celebrate hope.
