Virat Kohli stated he was “puzzled” and “completely gutted” over the lack of lives and accidents attributable to a stampede exterior Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium throughout Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL 2025 title celebrations on Wednesday (June 4).
The tragedy struck as lakhs of followers gathered exterior the stadium to have fun RCB’s historic maiden IPL victory. Not less than 11 individuals misplaced their lives and greater than 30 had been injured within the stampede that occurred as crowds surged to catch a glimpse of the group.
Kohli posted RCB’s official assertion on Instagram Tales, including a heartfelt message of his personal. “Puzzled. Completely gutted,” Kohli wrote, reacting to the tragedy.
RCB points assertion
In an official assertion, RCB expressed profound anguish on the unlucky occasions linked to massive public gatherings forward of the group’s arrival within the metropolis. The assertion learn, “We’re deeply anguished by the unlucky incidents which have come to gentle by way of media reviews relating to public gatherings throughout Bengaluru in anticipation of the group’s arrival this afternoon.”
RCB emphasised the paramount significance of security, stating, “The protection and well-being of everyone seems to be of utmost significance to us.” The franchise additionally prolonged “heartfelt condolences to the affected households” mourning the tragic lack of lives.
RCB victory celebration turns tragic: 11 useless in stampede
The jubilation over Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s maiden IPL title changed into a tragedy as a stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium led to the deaths of 11 people and injuries to 33 others. Hundreds of followers had gathered to catch a glimpse of the group throughout a deliberate victory celebration.
The world across the stadium noticed huge crowds, with younger followers climbing bushes, poles, and partitions to achieve entry. A festive ambiance shortly turned chaotic as the group surged, triggering a deadly stampede.
Scenes of chaos: Witnesses describe the horror
Scattered footwear, sportswear, and private belongings marked the scene of the tragedy. Eyewitnesses described suffocating situations and a sudden surge that left dozens crushed.
One eyewitness stated that individuals continued to push ahead regardless of warnings from these on the entrance to cease crowding.
“I noticed many women had fallen down, some fell on me. I acquired some accidents on my ribs. Fortunately there isn’t any dislocation, I’ve some muscle ache,” he stated.
One other witness recounted that 30 to 40 individuals fell without delay as a result of crowd surge, however the circulate of individuals from behind didn’t cease. “Three to 4 individuals died proper in entrance of my eyes,” he stated.
“At 3 pm we had been requested to come back right here at gate quantity 7, however nobody was allowed contained in the stadium until 5.20 pm. There was a small opening, what else will occur? 300-400 had been there at this gate …it was suffocating and it’s nice that I am alive,” he stated.
“600-700 individuals broke open the gates and tried to enter without delay. That’s when the stampede occurred,” one other witness stated. One other recalled: “I noticed many women had fallen down, some fell on me. I acquired accidents on my ribs. Fortunately, there’s no dislocation.”
A grieving father who misplaced his 22-year-old son, a scholar, stated: “Due to your carelessness you took my son’s life at this time….enable me to take my son’s physique together with me at this time. I’ve misplaced my solely son, who was 22 yr outdated. Due to your perspective, my son has develop into a useless physique on the streets at this time. He had come right here with out telling me.”
Inquiry ordered, Authorities declares compensation
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah known as the incident a serious tragedy and introduced ₹10 lakh compensation for every sufferer’s household and free remedy for the injured.
“A serious tragedy occurred through the victory celebrations. It occurred close to the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The federal government has introduced a compensation of ₹10 lakh for the deceased. The federal government will present free remedy to the injured,” the CM stated.
“I do not wish to defend this incident. Our authorities won’t do politics on this. I’ve ordered a magisterial inquiry and given 15 days’ time. Folks even broke the gates of the stadium. There was a stampede. Nobody anticipated such an enormous crowd.
The stadium has a capability of solely 35,000 individuals, however 2-3 lakh individuals got here,” Siddaramaiah stated.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated, “I ought to praise my Law enforcement officials…morning additionally, they needed to have a procession, they needed to carry a car from the airport itself…Police guided us to not…that is why I rushed to the airport and ensured nothing went improper…in Vidhana Soudha, additionally we had been very cautious…,” DK Shivakumar stated.
“We by no means anticipated such an incident to occur. No political get together or official needed this. They did their finest, however there was an uncontrollable crowd,” he added.
The Karnataka Deputy CM additionally introduced suspending all applications besides the cupboard assembly on June 5.
“Tomorrow, besides the cupboard assembly, all programmes have been postponed. No celebrations, together with the World Atmosphere Day…,” Shivakumar stated.
Shivakumar further stated, “The group has prolonged their condolences…I went to the group instantly and gave them path that this programme must be stopped inside 10 minutes… the group agreed and inside 5 minutes, they stopped the programme…we despatched plenty of Police groups with them since we did not need any incident to occur…”
Deputy CM Shivakumar said, “The group has prolonged their condolences…I went to the group instantly and gave them path that this programme must be stopped inside 10 minutes… the group agreed and inside 5 minutes, they stopped the programme…we despatched plenty of Police groups with them since we did not need any incident to occur.”
President, PM Modi, cricket icons mourn loss
President Droupadi Murmu known as the incident “stunning and heartbreaking,” whereas cricket legends additionally expressed condolences.
“The lack of lives within the tragic occurring at a stadium in Bengaluru is stunning and heartbreaking. My condolences to the bereaved households and prayers for the speedy restoration of the injured,” Murmu stated.
In a social media put up, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the situation was ‘absolutely heartrending’ and that he was praying for the individuals injured to have a quick restoration. “The mishap in Bengaluru is completely heartrending. On this tragic hour, my ideas are with all those that have misplaced their family members. I pray that those that are injured have a speedy restoration,” stated PM Modi in his put up on the social media platform X.
Sachin Tendulkar wrote on X: “What occurred at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, is past tragic. My coronary heart goes out to each affected household. Wishing peace and power to all.”
“It is a Unhappy day for Cricket! My coronary heart goes out to the households of those that misplaced their lives whereas celebrating RCB’s victory at this time. Praying for the speedy restoration of these injured. Tragic !!,” Anil Kumble stated.
Governor seeks accountability
Karnataka Governor Thawaar Chand Gehlot urged an intensive investigation. “Such incidents should not be repeated,” he warned.
The federal government has since postponed all occasions on June 5, barring the cupboard assembly, because the state grapples with the aftermath of a celebration that changed into a disaster.
(with inputs from Companies)
