Tragedy Strikes RCB's IPL Celebration: Stampede Claims Lives in Bengaluru

Devastating Incident at RCB's IPL Title Celebration

Bengaluru: A festive event celebrating the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's first IPL championship turned tragic on Wednesday when a stampede occurred outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, resulting in the deaths of at least 11 individuals, as reported by officials.

Earlier that day, Captain Rajat Patidar, along with Virat Kohli and other RCB players, arrived in the city with the trophy, anticipating a grand celebration at the stadium that evening. However, the situation escalated quickly as overwhelming crowds led to a chaotic stampede.

As per a report from a local news outlet, Bengaluru police had previously advised the RCB franchise and local authorities to delay the festivities. They expressed concerns about the heightened excitement among fans following the historic win on Tuesday and recommended rescheduling the event to Sunday for better crowd control.

A senior police official mentioned, "We attempted to persuade both the RCB management and the government to postpone the event. We recommended that instead of a procession, the players should be taken directly to the stadium for a more organized celebration."

However, RCB management reportedly rejected this suggestion, citing the need for several foreign players to return to their national teams. Organizers were eager to hold the celebration while the entire squad was still present in the country.

The IPL 2025 final, initially set for May 25, was postponed due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan, eventually taking place on June 3.

Authorities are currently investigating whether negligence contributed to this tragic incident, which has overshadowed what was intended to be a joyous occasion for cricket fans in Bengaluru.