Stampede at Chinnaswamy stadium [Source: @ventingout247, @Warlock_Shubh, @_sinha_disha/x.com]
It was supposed to be a day of jubilation but what began as a city-wide celebration quickly turned into a nightmare near Chinnaswamy Stadium. Just a day after Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifted their maiden IPL trophy, tragedy struck.
Fans Lash Out On Social Media After Stampede At Chinnaswamy
A stampede-like situation erupted on Wednesday outside Chinnaswamy stadium as thousands flocked to the stadium for the team’s felicitation event. The result? At least 11 lives lost, including a child and dozens rushed to the hospital. In a matter of minutes, Bengaluru's biggest cricketing high turned into heartbreak.
RCB fans, who waited 18 long years for this fairytale moment, were left fuming, not just at the tragedy, but at how preventable it was. Twitter was flooded with grief, anger and frustration. Many pointed fingers at the authorities and RCB’s management for botching the crowd control.
Here’s a look at how fans reacted to the stampede at Chinnaswamy stadium:
"RCB's biggest night became Bengaluru's darkest. 💔 #ChinnaswamyStadium #Stampede 🕯️ 11 dead, 20+ injured 👏 Crowd control FAILED. 🚨🚨Who will take accountability? Celebrations shouldn't cost lives. #RCB #chinnaswamystadium" - @_sinha_disha
Fan tweet [Source: @_sinha_disha/x.com]
"1 parade, 0 brains, & now 7 funerals. What kind of idiots plans a mass celebration without barricades, without strategy? This isn't a celebration gone wrong, this is an administration that went brain-dead🤬 #chinnaswamystadium #stampede #RCB" - @ventingout247
Fan tweet [Source: @ventingout247/x.com]
"This disconnect is deeply disturbing. @RCBTweets management, your silence and continuation of festivities amidst tragedy is unacceptable. Acknowledge the loss, halt celebrations, and prioritize human lives. #RCB #Bengaluru #Stampede #HumanityFirst" - @shashankpdy88
Fan tweet [Source: @shashankpdy88/x.com]
"The important thing is they kept celebrating despite this tragedy What a Sham on the RCB management and government 🤡" - @deshaditya165
Fan tweet [Source: @deshaditya165/x.com]
"More than 10 people died !.what karnataka government was doing ? Is Victory celebration is more important than people lives ? ! . Shame on karnataka gov and people's! #RCB" - @Prince2311__
Fan tweet [Source: @Prince2311__/x.com]
A Win That Feels Hollow
For years, fans begged for this moment: to see Kohli and RCB lift that elusive trophy. And while the cricketing gods finally smiled down in IPL 18, the aftermath has left a bitter taste.
What should have been a city’s proudest night has now become a black mark in Bengaluru’s sporting history. There were chants, fireworks and tears of joy. But now, there is only silence, sirens and mourning.