WafricNews | June 4, 2025

Bengaluru, India — What began as a city-wide celebration turned to sorrow on Wednesday as eleven people lost their lives and dozens were injured in a crowd crush outside a cricket stadium in Bengaluru, India. The tragedy unfolded during a massive victory parade for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who had clinched the Indian Premier League (IPL) title just a day earlier.

The streets of Karnataka’s capital had been flooded with fans eager to catch a glimpse of their cricket heroes, but the overwhelming turnout quickly overwhelmed security and event organizers. According to police officials, more than 200,000 people had gathered — twice the number authorities had expected.

"The gates hadn’t even opened when people began pushing forward through a narrow entryway. That’s when the stampede happened," one official told local media.

A Celebration Overrun

The parade had been planned as a grand homecoming, with players arriving by special flight at the old HAL airport, received by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, and later hosted by top government officials at the Vidhana Soudha, Karnataka’s legislative building.

From there, the team was scheduled to move in a second procession to the stadium for a fan reception. But before that leg could unfold, chaos erupted outside the venue.

“A moment of joy has been eclipsed by sorrow,” said Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, expressing shock and grief over the tragedy.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended condolences, calling the incident “heartrending” and offering sympathies to the families of the victims.

City in Gridlock, Metro Locked Down

As word spread of the tragedy, a once-jubilant crowd began to panic. Metro stations near the stadium were shut down as platforms became dangerously crowded with people attempting to flee. Eyewitnesses reported heavily congested trains, inaccessible auto rickshaws, and taxis refusing to enter the area.

“We couldn’t board any metro train. All compartments were packed beyond capacity,” one commuter told WafricNews.

RCB fans — most of them dressed in red and black jerseys — had traveled from every corner of the city using any available mode of transport. The atmosphere was electrifying until fear and confusion swept through the crowd.

Inside the stadium, a brief reception still took place, with cricket icon Virat Kohli addressing those who had made it in. But by then, the spirit of celebration had dimmed.

A Sobering Reminder

The incident raises critical questions around crowd control, public safety, and event planning in a country where sport — particularly cricket — evokes unmatched passion. Bengaluru now joins a list of global cities where unregulated crowd gatherings have led to deadly outcomes.

As investigations begin, the focus shifts to how such a celebration, filled with so much hope and pride, turned into a day of mourning.


By WafricNews Desk.