Grief and anger continue to swell across Bengaluru as eyewitness accounts and hospital scenes reveal the brutal toll of crowd mismanagement during RCB’s title celebrations, prompting calls for resignations.
By PC Bureau | Bengaluru, June 5, 2025:
The aftermath of yesterday’s deadly stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, which claimed 11 lives and injured 33 to 50 people, unfolded in heart-wrenching scenes at Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital and Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences, where victims were rushed for treatment. The tragedy, triggered during celebrations for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) maiden IPL title win, has sparked public outrage, and demands for accountability.
Chaos and Grief at Hospitals
At Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital, located near the stadium, the emergency ward was overwhelmed as ambulances arrived with victims, many suffering from severe injuries caused by crushing and asphyxia. Dr. Anil Kumar, head of the trauma unit, described the scene: “Most patients arrived with breathing difficulties or fractures. We lost three young fans, including a 13-year-old girl, Divyamshi, due to suffocation.” Vydehi Hospital, handling the majority of the injured, reported 20 patients in critical condition, with medical staff working round-the-clock. Families crowded hospital corridors, some weeping uncontrollably, others frantically searching for loved ones.
This pictures will haunt every cricket fans forever 💔😭#Stampede #Chinnaswamystadium pic.twitter.com/yxebx7a39K
— Sonusays (@IamSonu____) June 4, 2025
Ramesh Gowda, a relative of an injured 18-year-old student, broke down outside Vydehi: “He just wanted to see Virat Kohli. How did this happen? The government failed us.” Similar scenes unfolded at Bowring, where a mother collapsed upon learning her son was among the deceased. Doctors reported that many injuries resulted from trampling, with some victims requiring ventilators due to severe respiratory distress.
Public Anger Boils Over
The tragedy has fueled widespread anger against the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and the state government for mismanaging the event, which drew an estimated 2-3 lakh fans—far exceeding the stadium’s 35,000 capacity. Outside Bowring Hospital, a group of protestors gathered, chanting slogans against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar. “They knew lakhs would come for RCB, but where was the planning?” shouted Anil Shetty, a local resident who lost a cousin in the stampede. Social media posts on X echoed the fury, with users blaming inadequate security and poor crowd control for the deaths.
READ: 11 Killed in Stampede That Shadows RCB’s Historic IPL Triumph
The opposition BJP intensified the criticism, accusing the Congress-led government of “gross negligence.” BJP leader R. Ashoka demanded the resignations of Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar, and Home Minister G. Parameshwara, alleging that the government ignored warnings about the massive turnout expected for the RCB felicitation ceremony. “This is a failure of governance. Families are grieving because of their incompetence,” Ashoka said at a press conference.
Chaos at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium: Management’s epic fail. Fans smashed gates, stormed in, causing multiple injuries. Praying for everyone’s safety. #RCB#ViratKohli𓃵 #stampede pic.twitter.com/LxEIPQUysh
— Sanjay Madrasi Pandey | Ex-Reuters | Ex-Telegraph (@Sanjraj) June 4, 2025
Magisterial Inquiry Ordered
Responding to the crisis, CM Siddaramaiah announced a magisterial inquiry led by Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner G. Jagadeesha to investigate the stampede’s causes, with a report due within 15 days. “The crowd size was unprecedented, and we are committed to uncovering what went wrong,” Siddaramaiah said, announcing ₹10 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased and free treatment for the injured. The KSCA also pledged ₹5 lakh per family.
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Preliminary findings suggest that the stampede occurred when fans without entry passes attempted to force their way through the stadium gates, leading to a deadly crush. Despite 5,000 police personnel deployed, the sheer volume of the crowd overwhelmed security measures. The inquiry will examine lapses in planning, crowd management, and coordination between the KSCA, police, and civic authorities.
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Calls for Accountability
The tragedy has drawn national attention, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu expressing condolences and urging stricter safety protocols. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge also mourned the loss, with Kharge calling for “urgent measures to prevent such incidents.” The BCCI labeled the event “shocking,” pointing to better-managed celebrations like Mumbai’s 2024 T20 World Cup parade as a benchmark.
As Bengaluru grieves, the focus remains on the hospitals, where families await updates on the injured, and on the inquiry, which many hope will deliver justice. For now, the city’s joy over RCB’s victory is overshadowed by a tragedy that has left an indelible mark on its spirit.
