Four dead, several injured as RCB’s IPL celebration spirals into chaos

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The newly-crowned IPL champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, on Wednesday saw their moment of glory take a tragic turn as celebrations over their long-awaited maiden title descended into chaos. A stampede broke out amid an overwhelming crowd gathered in Bengaluru to mark the team's historic victory, leading to the death of four individuals and injuries to several others, according to news agency PTI.

What should have been a day of jubilation and festive cheers was instead marred by panic and heartbreak. The joyous atmosphere quickly spiraled into tragedy as a tightly packed throng of fans flooded the streets, creating a dangerous crush. The surging crowd, unable to move freely, led to scenes of distress and confusion, turning celebration into catastrophe.

The RCB team had only just returned from Ahmedabad, where they edged out Punjab Kings in a nail-biting six-run victory in the IPL 2025 final. The win brought an end to an 18-year-long title drought for the franchise, triggering ecstatic celebrations across the Garden City. The streets of Bengaluru turned red and gold, with flags waving high and fans chanting passionately as the players arrived, carrying the hopes and pride of a loyal fanbase that had waited nearly two decades for this moment.

As part of the victory celebrations, the team had been en route to meet Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the Vidhana Soudha. Thousands lined the roads to catch a glimpse of their heroes, turning the city's thoroughfares into impromptu celebration zones. Mobile phones flashed in the air, drums beat in rhythm, and RCB chants echoed through the city as the team made their way to the CM's office.

The next stop is scheduled to be a special fan interaction and felicitation ceremony at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB's home ground, where the players were to be honoured in front of their passionate supporters. The event was designed to thank fans for their relentless backing over the years and to mark the significance of this long-awaited achievement.

Originally, a grand open-top bus parade had been planned to carry the squad from Vidhana Soudha to the stadium, offering fans the chance to cheer their champions during a triumphant city tour. However, the unprecedented crowd surge and resulting tragedy cast a dark shadow over the proceedings, raising questions over crowd control and event safety during such high-profile celebrations.

(With PTI inputs)