What Led To Deadly Bengaluru Stampede That Claimed 11 Lives, Injured 47 At RCB Victory Parade

A tragic incident unfolded in Bengaluru on Wednesday as an unprecedented crowd surge and a narrow stadium entrance led to a deadly stampede at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where entry had been declared free for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) felicitation ceremony.

11 people lost their lives and 47 others were injured in the chaos.

Photo Credit: PTI

According to police reports and eyewitness accounts, thousands had gathered to attend the celebratory event.

RCB's first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title win after 18 years has deeply resonated with fans across Karnataka, with many eager to witness the team's public celebration at the stadium.

Initially, entry passes were being issued for the event. However, only a limited number of people managed to obtain them. Once it was announced that the event would be open to all, crowds surged as the gates were thrown open.

The masses began pouring in from every direction, being funnelled through a narrow entry point.

That is when the stampede began. At first, attendees were compressed and injured in the crush. As more people attempted to force their way in, barricades collapsed.

Those closest to the barriers were trapped beneath them and trampled as the crowd continued to push forward.

Footage from the scene showed police officers carrying injured and unconscious individuals to a nearby hospital. In addition to the deceased and injured, many others fainted in the overwhelming crowd.

A large gathering was also seen outside the Vidhana Soudha, where the RCB team had gone to meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The Chief Minister has already ordered an investigation into the incident, with a report expected within 15 days.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has publicly apologised for the overcrowding and stated that the authorities had made every effort, including keeping the event brief.

"We had arranged more than 5,000 personnel," he said, adding, "Lakhs of people came... The programme had ended within 10 minutes. We are trying to make everything normal... This is a young vibrant crowd, we can't use lathi," he said.