Tragic aftermath of Bengaluru stampede : Shoes, broken gates, and civic response

On June 4, 2025, Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was the site of a tragic stampede during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL 2025 victory celebrations. The event, intended to be a joyous occasion, turned into a disaster as thousands of fans gathered to celebrate RCB's first-ever IPL title. The crowd's overwhelming numbers led to chaos, resulting in at least 11 fatalities and over 50 injuries .

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As the crowd surged towards the stadium gates, many fans resorted to climbing trees, walls, and even jumping over barriers in an attempt to gain entry. The situation escalated when individuals without valid passes tried to force their way through the gates, causing congestion and clashes. Police efforts to control the situation, including the use of caning, reportedly worsened the scenario .

In the aftermath, the streets surrounding the stadium were littered with discarded footwear, slippers and shoes, left behind by panicked fans. Witnesses reported that some fans had removed their shoes in haste while attempting to escape the chaos. Additionally, several gates and barriers were damaged or destroyed, indicating the forceful impact of the crowd's movement. Urban planners have criticized the city's infrastructure and crowd management protocols, highlighting the need for improved safety measures during large public events .

In response to the disaster, civic workers, including pourakarmikas, were promptly deployed to clear the debris and restore order. They collected scattered footwear, broken barriers, and other remnants of the stampede. Their swift action underscored the importance of efficient civic services in managing post-crisis situations. However, the incident has sparked a broader conversation about the adequacy of existing infrastructure and the need for stringent crowd control measures to prevent such tragedies in the future .