A large crowd gathered on Wednesday to welcome the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team after their first title win in the Indian Premier League. However, celebrations turned fatal outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium when a crowd crush occurred, leaving at least 10 dead and many injured, according to officials.
This incident unfolded just a day after the team’s triumph, with the hastily organized festivities potentially contributing to the tragedy. Following the team’s victory over the Punjab franchise in Ahmedabad on June 3, celebrations were intended to welcome the players home. A planned parade was called off due to safety concerns, yet fans continued to gather in high numbers outside the stadium.
Manoj Kumar, director of Bowring Hospital in Bengaluru, reported that six bodies and 19 injured individuals were admitted there, while another hospital, Vydehi, treated four additional fatalities and 12 injuries. Authorities have warned that the casualty count could increase as the situation evolves.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with one graduate student, Siddharth H.N., saying, “It was a lot of pushing near the gates, and it was really difficult for the police and stadium staff to control the crowd.” In the wake of the tragedy, political leaders in Karnataka questioned the government's readiness for such large gatherings, arguing that they had neglected necessary preparations.
B.Y. Vijayendra, head of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Karnataka, criticized the state government for prioritizing high-profile events over safety. "The state government should take full responsibility for this tragedy," he stated. Karnataka's chief minister, Siddaramaiah, responded by saying that the planned parade was scrapped after crowd control became unmanageable, expressing his condolences on social media.
The deputy chief minister, D.K. Shivakumar, mentioned that while 5,000 police officers were deployed for security, they struggled to manage the throngs of excited fans. He emphasized the challenge posed by the “young, vibrant crowd.”
The Indian Premier League is known for its massive following and significant financial backing, and the Bengaluru team enjoys a particularly devoted fanbase, greatly influenced by the presence of cricket star Virat Kohli.
