Bhubaneswar, June 5, 2025: What was meant to be a jubilant celebration of the Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) first-ever IPL title turned into a nightmare on Wednesday evening. A stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium resulted in at least 11 deaths and over 50 injuries, casting a shadow over the city's festive spirit. The tragedy unfolded when an estimated 200,000 fans gathered to catch a glimpse of cricket icon Virat Kohli and the RCB team. Authorities had anticipated a crowd of 50,000, but the turnout overwhelmed security measures.
An Odia consultant working at a Big Four firm in Bengaluru, who witnessed the chaos, recounted the harrowing scene. "People were climbing trees, hanging dangerously to catch a glimpse of Virat Kohli," he said. "The crowd was suffocating, with no breathing space. People were climbing over each other to reach the tree tops. It was a horrific and scary scene."
The situation was exacerbated by the distribution of free passes, which led to ticketless fans attempting to enter the already crowded venue.
The consultant, who requested anonymity, described the atmosphere as "intense and overwhelming." "The excitement turned into panic as the crowd surged uncontrollably," he added. "There was no space to move, and the air felt thick with desperation, I thought I wil die."
The stampede has sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability. An FIR has been filed against RCB management, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and the event organizers for alleged criminal negligence. The Karnataka High Court has sought a status report from the state government regarding the incident. Additionally, five police officers, including the Bengaluru Police Commissioner, have been suspended for failing to ensure adequate crowd control and security arrangements.
