BENGALURU, India — At least 11 people, including a woman and a young boy, were killed in a crowd crush outside Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday, as thousands of cricket fans surged forward to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Indian Premier League (IPL) victory, local authorities confirmed.
The deadly stampede unfolded when a massive crowd gathered outside the stadium near Cubbon Park, attempting to enter the venue for the highly anticipated victory parade following RCB’s win over Punjab Kings on Tuesday night. The franchise’s first-ever IPL title had sparked a wave of euphoria across the city, drawing large numbers of supporters to the team’s home ground in southern India.
According to local media and police reports, the situation spiraled out of control as fans stormed multiple entry gates simultaneously in an effort to catch a glimpse of their cricket heroes. The resulting crush left at least 11 dead and more than 50 others injured, many seriously.
Emergency services were severely hampered by the overwhelming crowds, making it difficult for ambulances to reach the injured or transport them to nearby hospitals in time. Four victims succumbed to their injuries at Vydehi Multispecialty Hospital, while three others were pronounced dead on arrival at Bowring Hospital, health officials said. Additional fatalities were later confirmed by city authorities.
Authorities have not yet released the names of the deceased, and officials warn that the death toll could rise as several victims remain in critical condition.
Eyewitness accounts described chaotic scenes as fans, many of them young, jostled and pushed through narrow entry points despite security efforts to maintain order. The gate near Cubbon Park became a focal point of the surge, where the crowd’s momentum proved fatal for those caught in the crush.
“I saw people screaming, trying to hold on to railings, and then suddenly they were just falling,” said Ramesh Nair, a 29-year-old fan who narrowly avoided injury. “It was supposed to be a celebration, not a tragedy.”
The Times of India reported that in the rush to get inside the stadium, several gates were breached simultaneously, adding to the confusion and making it nearly impossible for security forces to control the crowd.
State and local authorities have announced an investigation into the incident, focusing on crowd control measures, entry protocols, and emergency response coordination. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and promised accountability.
“This is an unspeakable tragedy. We are coordinating with health officials and law enforcement to ensure all injured are treated and families of the deceased receive full support,” the chief minister said in a statement.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru team also issued a statement expressing their condolences to the victims’ families and urging fans to remain calm and safe during future celebrations.
Large-scale public events in India, especially those related to cricket, often attract overwhelming crowds. While security arrangements are usually made in anticipation of large turnouts, crowd mismanagement and lack of emergency preparedness have contributed to past tragedies.
Wednesday’s fatal stampede has reignited questions about public safety at major sporting events and the need for stricter protocols when organizing mass gatherings, particularly in urban areas with limited access for emergency vehicles.
