Bengaluru: Celebrations marking Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title took a tragic turn when a stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium resulted in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries. Thousands of fans had assembled to greet the team during a victory parade, leading to chaotic scenes and a deadly crowd surge. 

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's Political Secretary, Naseer Ahmed, addressed the media, stating that the magnitude of the crowd was unforeseen.

"The size of the crowd that had gathered for the celebrations of RCB's victory in the IPL was unexpected and nobody could have visualised it," he said.

He further explained that the event was organised on short notice due to players' prior commitments, limiting the time available for comprehensive arrangements.

"The situation was such... Many players had commitments and insisted it should be done today... RCB is a Bengaluru team, they just wanted to come and participate,” he said.

Metro stations closed amid safety concerns

In response to the overwhelming turnout, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) temporarily closed several metro stations, including Cubbon Park, Vidhana Soudha, MG Road, Trinity, and Central College, to manage the influx of passengers and ensure public safety.

RCB's historic win and subsequent celebrations

RCB secured their first IPL title with a six-run victory over Punjab Kings, ending an 18-year wait for the championship.

The team announced a victory parade in Bengaluru, starting from Vidhana Soudha and culminating at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, to celebrate with their fans.

However, the massive turnout led to unforeseen challenges, culminating in the tragic incident.

Investigation and future precautions

Officials have initiated an investigation into the incident to determine the causes and assess the adequacy of the safety measures in place.
(With agency inputs)