What was intended to be a day of celebration turned into a tragedy on Wednesday (June 4) when a stampede outside Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium resulted in at least 11 fatalities. A total of 75 individuals were injured — 42 received outpatient care, while 33 were hospitalized.
The incident took place in the afternoon as thousands of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans flocked to the stadium to celebrate the team's historic first Indian Premier League (IPL) title victory. Despite significant police presence, the sheer number of attendees quickly overwhelmed security measures.
Witnesses reported chaotic scenes as fans rushed in from various entrances, eager to see their cricketing idols. In the ensuing crush, many collapsed and were trampled. Ambulance services struggled to navigate the congested roads surrounding the area, delaying emergency response efforts.
Even as injuries mounted, large crowds continued to gather outside the stadium and near Vidhana Soudha, where a government-organized ceremony to honor the team was also scheduled. Earlier that day, the Karnataka government had canceled a planned victory parade from Vidhana Soudha to the stadium due to concerns over crowd control and safety.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in a stampede near the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday. In a post on X, the prime minister said, "The mishap in Bengaluru is absolutely heartrending."
"In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that those who are injured have a speedy recovery," he added.
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