Stampede at RCB Victory Parade in Bengaluru: A Complete Report (2025 Tragedy)
Published on: June 5, 2025 | Word Count: 1100+ | SEO Keywords: RCB stampede, Bengaluru news, Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede, RCB parade death, Karnataka government, IPL 2025 celebration
๐ Introduction: RCB’s Historic Win Turns Tragic
The city of Bengaluru was submerged in joy on June 3, 2025, as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured their maiden IPL title after 18 seasons. But what was meant to be a day of historic celebration turned into an unforgettable tragedy the very next day, when a stampede broke out during RCB’s victory parade at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, leaving 11 dead and over 30 injured.
The tragic event has sparked nationwide grief and raised serious questions about public safety and crowd control at large-scale celebrations.
๐ Background: The Victory and Parade Plans
RCB defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 6 runs in the IPL 2025 final on June 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This marked the end of a long-awaited journey for RCB fans who had supported the team for 18 years without a title win.
To honor the victory, the Karnataka government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, arranged a massive roadshow and celebration parade on June 4, 2025, from Vidhana Soudha to Chinnaswamy Stadium. The rally was expected to draw a large number of RCB fans from across the state.
๐ง What Led to the Stampede?
The trouble started as crowds gathered early morning at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, waiting to witness the RCB players during the felicitation ceremony. While arrangements were made for 1 lakh people, reports suggest that over 4 lakh fans gathered in the vicinity.
Key Issues Leading to Stampede:
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Overcrowding and lack of crowd control measures.
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Inadequate barricading and insufficient police deployment for a crowd of that size.
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Restricted gate entry into the stadium created bottlenecks.
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A slab maintained by BBMP collapsed, causing sudden panic among the tightly packed crowd.
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Police resorted to lathi-charge (caning) to control the surge, which worsened the panic.
This caused a sudden crush at the gates, especially Gate No. 2 of the Chinnaswamy Stadium, leading to a deadly stampede.
๐จ Death Toll and Injuries
As per official reports:
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11 people lost their lives, including women and minors.
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30+ fans were injured, some critically, and were rushed to Bowring and Victoria hospitals.
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The identities of the deceased were confirmed by local authorities.
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Most victims were crushed in the surge or suffocated in the crowd.
๐งพ Government’s Reaction and Accountability
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called the incident a “painful and avoidable tragedy” and declared:
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An ex-gratia compensation of ₹10 lakh to the families of the deceased.
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An inquiry commission to investigate the cause and responsibility behind the stampede.
Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, while addressing the media, said:
“We had planned for 1 lakh, but 4 lakh people showed up. The stampede started due to the collapse of a slab. The situation escalated quickly.”
Opposition parties, including the BJP and JD(S), have blamed the Congress-led government for the lack of crowd management and called for the resignation of responsible officials.
๐ฃ Public Outrage and Political Blame Game
Social media erupted with anger and condolences, as visuals from the stampede went viral. Netizens, celebrities, and former cricketers criticized the authorities for the negligent planning.
Key Highlights:
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Virat Kohli posted on social media:
"Absolutely heartbroken. We wanted to celebrate with our fans, not mourn this terrible loss. Prayers for the affected families." -
Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh also expressed grief and demanded better safety in future events.
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Opposition leaders termed it “government-sponsored disaster” and questioned why such a large event was held without consulting disaster management authorities.
๐ท Eyewitness Accounts
Multiple fans who were present during the tragedy recounted horrifying experiences:
"I saw three girls fall down near Gate 2, but no one helped them. Everyone was trying to save themselves."
– Witness from Shivajinagar
"There was no water, no security, no exit path. People were shouting, some fainted. It was chaos."
– RCB fan from Yelahanka
๐ Timeline of Events – June 4, 2025
Time | Event |
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7:30 AM | Fans started gathering outside Chinnaswamy Stadium |
10:00 AM | Crowd crosses 1.5 lakh; gates remain closed |
10:30 AM | First signs of chaos near Gate No. 2 |
11:00 AM | Slab collapses; panic spreads |
11:10 AM | Stampede breaks out |
11:20 AM | Police begin lathi-charge |
11:30 AM | Emergency response arrives |
1:00 PM | CM orders magisterial inquiry |
⚠️ Lessons Learned & Recommendations
To prevent future tragedies, experts suggest:
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Pre-registration systems for fans attending public events.
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Real-time crowd monitoring using drones and CCTV.
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Professional crowd control training for police and volunteers.
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Emergency medical booths and ambulances on standby at venues.
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Staggered entry gates and barricading to control flow.
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Strict adherence to safety protocols by event organizers and city authorities.
๐ Conclusion: A Celebration That Turned into Mourning
What was intended as a glorious celebration of RCB’s historic IPL 2025 win has now become a national tragedy. The loss of innocent lives in a crowd that only wanted to cheer for their heroes reflects a deep failure in planning and crowd safety.
As the city of Bengaluru mourns, the Karnataka government, RCB management, and law enforcement agencies are now under pressure to ensure accountability and prevent recurrence.
RCB fans will forever remember June 4, not just for the trophy celebration—but for the irreparable loss suffered in the city they love.
๐ FAQs
Q1: What caused the stampede in Bengaluru during the RCB parade?
Overcrowding, poor planning, and a slab collapse near the gate led to a sudden rush, triggering a fatal stampede.
Q2: How many people died in the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede?
11 people lost their lives and more than 30 were injured.
Q3: Who organized the RCB celebration rally?
The Karnataka state government, led by CM Siddaramaiah and DCM D.K. Shivakumar.
Q4: What steps are being taken after the tragedy?
A magisterial inquiry was ordered, and ₹10 lakh compensation announced for each victim’s family.
Q5: How are people reacting?
Widespread grief, criticism of the authorities, and calls for better event management in future.
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