Bengaluru witnessed a tragic stampede near the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium that left at least 11 people dead and over 30 injured, according to police and government officials.
The incident unfolded ahead of a planned felicitation event for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team, and police sources cited overcrowding, conflicting announcements, and the distribution of free passes as key contributing factors.
Chaos broke out when large numbers of cricket fans, many without valid entry tickets, attempted to force their way into the stadium alongside those holding tickets. Some individuals reportedly scaled the stadium’s gates in desperation.
During the stampede, several people fell and were trampled, while others sustained injuries trying to climb barriers.
The confusion deepened when the Bengaluru Traffic Police announced at 11:56 am that there would be no victory parade, only a felicitation ceremony at the stadium. However, at 3:14 pm, the RCB team management posted on social media that a “Victory Parade will be followed by celebrations at the Chinnaswamy stadium,” with limited free passes available online. This contradictory messaging left thousands of fans unsure of whether to head to the stadium or not.
