A celebratory gathering outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium turned into tragedy on Tuesday evening, as at least 10 people died and several others were injured in a stampede-like situation during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) IPL victory celebration.
Authorities have confirmed six deaths at Bowring Hospital in Shivajinagar and four more at Vaidehi Hospital on Mallya Road, where 15 injured persons were admitted. Officials fear that the death toll may rise further as more critically injured individuals are being treated.
According to sources, the incident occurred near Gate No. 3 of the stadium, where a large crowd had gathered to greet the RCB team during their open-bus victory parade from Vidhan Soudha to Chinnaswamy Stadium. The crowd reportedly surged forward in anticipation of the team’s arrival, leading to chaos and a stampede.
“It was completely overcrowded. People were pushing, shouting… many fell to the ground and couldn’t get up,” said one eyewitness.
The RCB team, fresh from their historic IPL 2025 win, had earlier been felicitated at Vidhan Soudha by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar. The crowd, however, had begun assembling around the stadium hours earlier.
As heavy rain lashed the area shortly after 5 PM, conditions worsened. Traffic came to a standstill in Bengaluru’s central business district (CBD), with roads clogged, metro stations overwhelmed, and thousands arriving by foot.
Ambulances rushed the injured to Bowring and other nearby hospitals. Health and police authorities are yet to confirm the total number of injured.
The Karnataka government is expected to issue a formal statement and initiate a probe into the incident.
