At least 11 individuals lost their lives and numerous others sustained injuries during a stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, India, on June 4, 2025. The incident occurred as large crowds gathered to celebrate the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s first Indian Premier League championship win.
The stampede took place when the turnout exceeded 200,000 people, far surpassing the expected number. Karnataka state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that the situation escalated when people attempted to breach a stadium gate to participate in the celebration, resulting in the deadly crush.
A police representative noted that the stampede started when individuals tried to push through a narrow gate. The surge of the crowd became uncontrollable as fans climbed over walls and gates to view their cricket idols after the team’s landmark victory on June 3.
Emergency responders faced difficulty reaching the affected individuals due to the dense crowd and traffic. Four fatalities were reported at Vydehi Multispecialty Hospital, while three were declared dead upon arrival at Bowring Hospital. Reports on injuries varied, with figures ranging from 33 to 47.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru triumphed over the Punjab Kings to secure the annual cricket title, with English players Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone contributing to the victory. This marked the team’s first IPL title in the league’s 18-year history, sparking celebrations throughout Karnataka.
Law enforcement resorted to lathi charges, using batons to disperse the crowd as the situation worsened. Some officers attempted to administer CPR to victims outside the stadium, while ambulances navigated the masses to transport the injured to hospitals.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed his dismay over the fatalities, remarking that “no one expected this crowd.” Although the planned victory parade from Vidhana Soudha to the stadium was canceled due to safety concerns, the large gathering near the stadium still led to the tragic event.
The stadium’s capacity is 35,000, yet between 200,000 to 300,000 individuals assembled for the celebration, according to local sources. An additional 100,000 people gathered at the state assembly, but no incidents were reported there.
Fans began gathering at the anticipated player entrance gate as early as the night before the scheduled event. Despite safety warnings, police were unable to prevent the increasing crowd from forming.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India, responsible for organizing the Indian Premier League, labeled the incident as unfortunate. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia expressed that better event planning was necessary, highlighting a downside of cricket’s popularity in India.
The cricket team issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the incident. The government subsequently canceled the planned celebration for the team following the stampede.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the event as heartrending, extending condolences to those who lost family members. The tragedy overshadowed what was intended to be a celebratory occasion for the team and its fans.
Despite the serious situation, large numbers continued to remain outside the stadium throughout June 4, even after the stampede was widely reported.
Previous disturbances occurred after the team’s victory on June 3, with reports of unrest in other city areas. Law enforcement had to implement additional crowd control measures as fans celebrated by climbing on buses and trucks.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association had organized a special event for the RCB team within the stadium after they returned from Ahmedabad, where the final took place. However, the overwhelming number of spectators, many without entry passes, rendered security measures ineffective despite repeated warnings and calls for calm.
