The jubilant scenes of RCB’s first IPL championship on June 4, 2025, quickly turned into a nightmare. A victory parade in Bengaluru, intended to celebrate the team’s triumph, became the site of a fatal stampede that killed 11 people and injured around 75. The sheer volume of “lakhs” of fans, coupled with inadequate crowd management from Vidhan Sabha to M. Chinnaswamy Stadium proved disastrous.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the persistent challenges faced at Indian sports events. An analysis of 12 significant incidents of stampedes and violence from 1969 to 2025 highlights a consistent theme: overcrowding, lax security, and fan aggression are recurring factors in these tragedies, spanning cricket, football, and hockey. The urgent imperative to enhance crowd safety measures and implement robust management strategies cannot be overstated.
Tragedy strikes RCB IPL victory parade: 11 dead in Bengaluru stampede
On June 4, 2025, celebrations for Royal Challengers Bangalore’s first IPL title were marred by a tragic stampede at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. A crowd significantly exceeding the stadium’s capacity led to the incident, which claimed 11 lives and injured 75 others.
Investigations point to a confluence of factors, including poor event planning, inadequate crowd control measures, and confused communication regarding free entry passes. First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed against RCB, event managers DNA, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and local police, leading to the suspension of several senior officers.
In response, RCB announced Rs 10 lakh compensation for each family of the deceased and pledged support for those injured. The Karnataka High Court has ordered a thorough investigation into the tragedy.
Stampede injures fans at Cuttack ODI ticket sale
On February 5, 2025, a stampede-like situation erupted at Barabati Stadium in Odisha’s Cuttack during the sale of tickets for the second One Day International match between India and England, leading to multiple injuries and widespread chaos. Thousands of fans had begun congregating near the ticket counters on the night of February 4th, anticipating the 9am sale.
Once sales began, the sheer volume of the crowd, coupled with a severe lack of proper crowd control measures, quickly became unmanageable. Numerous individuals fainted or fell in the ensuing crush. While thankfully no fatalities were confirmed, many were injured in the melee.
The Odisha Cricket Association faced heavy criticism for their apparent mismanagement of the ticket distribution process. Ultimately, police, led by DCP Jagmohan Meena, had to intervene. They deployed forces and regulated entry through four gates to bring the situation under control and ensure safety.
Six injured in Rourkela hockey stampede: Poor management blamed
On February 1, 2025, six individuals were injured in a stampede outside Rourkela’s Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium during the Hockey India League final. The incident was attributed to significant failures in crowd management.
The offer of free tickets by Hockey India led to a much larger crowd than anticipated, with over 4,000 fans left stranded outside the stadium. Compounding the issue, many who legitimately held tickets were denied entry, while political leaders and VIPs were reportedly allowed in with ease. This glaring disparity and the overall lack of proper crowd control arrangements by the local police administration are cited as the primary reasons for the stampede, highlighting a clear breakdown in the government’s handling of the event.
Marine drive stampede: Police negligence blamed for injuries at T20 victory parade
On July 4, 2024, celebrations for the Indian cricket team’s T20 World Cup victory parade along Marine Drive in Mumbai were marred by a stampede-like situation that left several fans injured and some experiencing breathing difficulties. The incident, occurring between 8:15PM and 8:45PM, was attributed to massive overcrowding, a lack of proper crowd management, and police negligence.
Eyewitnesses reported that police failed to adequately control the surging crowds, leading to chaotic scenes where individuals fell over each other. The absence of sufficient arrangements and the alleged lack of alertness from law enforcement exacerbated the dangerous conditions.
Player killed, stampede ensues at Jalandhar kabaddi event
A tragic incident unfolded on March 14, 2022, during an international kabaddi tournament in Jalandhar, Punjab, when player Sandeep Nangal Ambia was fatally shot by unknown assailants. Weak security arrangements at the venue allowed the attack to occur, leading to immediate panic and a stampede among spectators.
The attackers fled the scene swiftly after the shooting, before authorities could fully grasp the situation. Police officials quickly began interrogating witnesses and gathering clues to identify the culprits. Roadblocks were promptly set up in the surrounding areas as a search for the assailants commenced.
Hyderabad stampede: 20 injured during India-Australia T20 ticket sale
A chaotic scene unfolded on September 22, 2022, at the Gymkhana ground in Hyderabad, as a stampede during the ticket sale for the India-Australia T20 match left approximately 20 people injured, with seven requiring hospitalisation.
Thousands of fans had gathered outside the ground from the night of September 21st, hoping to secure tickets. When the gates opened at 10 AM, the massive crowd became uncontrollable, leading to a dangerous crush where many individuals fell and were trampled.
Following the incident, the state government ordered a thorough investigation, and a case was registered against Hyderabad Cricket Association president Mohammed Azharuddin and others for negligence in organising the sale.
Crowd violence erupts after Aizawl FC vs Mohun Bagan match
On January 25, 2018, an I-League match at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl, Mizoram between Aizawl FC and Mohun Bagan concluded with an outbreak of crowd violence, ultimately leading to a stampede. Enraged by referee Senthil Nathan’s decisions, upset fans hurled bottles, chairs, and stones at him, shouting “Referee out.” Match official Walter Pereira narrowly avoided being hit by some of the projectiles.
The volatile situation escalated due to weak security arrangements and poor crowd control. Police and security personnel had to intervene to manage the surging crowd and ensure safety. This incident highlights how both controversial officiating and inadequate security measures contributed to the chaotic stampede.
Five Injured in Stampede at KKR IPL-7 victory celebration
A celebratory event for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) following their IPL-7 victory turned chaotic on June 3, 2014, when a stampede occurred outside Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata. The incident, which injured at least five people including women and children, happened as police struggled to manage the massive crowd.
Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim, however, downplayed the severity of the stampede, stating, “Don’t focus on the stampede that might have involved only 10 people. Instead, emphasise the ecstasy of the 65,000 to one lakh people who have gathered here.”
Blasts rock Bengaluru IPL stadium, 10 Injured
On April 17, 2010, two low-intensity bombs detonated outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, just before an IPL match between the Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore. The explosions left at least 10 people injured. A third explosive device was also discovered nearby and safely defused by the police.
Initial investigations suggested the devices were locally made and of low intensity, possibly triggered by timers. Authorities later pointed to poor security measures as a critical failure that allowed the attack to occur.
RAF lathi-charge causes stampede at Salt Lake stadium, nine injured
National Football League match at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on March 15, 2002, between Mohun Bagan and ITI, ended in chaos and injury when a draw provoked an unprovoked lathi-charge by the Rapid Action Force (RAF). After ITI’s late equaliser, some spectators threw water bottles at their bench, leading to heightened tensions.
In response, the RAF launched a lathi-charge on approximately 30,000 spectators without adequate warning. Compounding the situation, the stadium’s exit gates were not fully opened, directly leading to a stampede. Nine people sustained serious injuries, including one with a broken knee. While police officials later claimed they were only instructing spectators to leave, a senior officer acknowledged that initiating the lathi-charge without ensuring open exit gates was a critical error.
The 1980 Kolkata derby tragedy: A dark day for Indian football
August 16, 1980, is a date etched in sorrow in Indian football history. During the highly anticipated Kolkata derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal at Eden Gardens, a violent confrontation erupted between rival fan groups, spiraling into a deadly stampede.
The chaos claimed the lives of 16 people, the majority of whom were teenagers. This tragic event remains a painful memory for football enthusiasts in Bengal, with many believing it could have been averted through more effective crowd management. The disaster was ultimately attributed to a combination of irregular decisions by referee Sudhin Chatterjee and police negligence, which fueled the clashes and stone-pelting among supporters.
Violence erupts at 1969 Brabourne Test over controversial dismissal
On November 4, 1969, a Test match between India and Australia at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai was marred by severe crowd violence. Fans, angered by a controversial dismissal they heard announced on the radio, began throwing bottles and setting stands ablaze, causing smoke to engulf the ground. Despite the escalating chaos, the match continued.
The unrest didn’t end with the game. Australian players were attacked as they left the stadium; John Gleeson was struck by a bottle, and a chair was thrown at Bill Lawry. The incident was primarily attributed to the fans’ perception of unfair officiating combined with a critical lack of crowd control.
The tragic stampede during RCB’s IPL victory parade in Bengaluru on June 4, 2025, serves as a stark and painful reminder of a recurring pattern in Indian sports: poor decisions by organisers and authorities, coupled with chronic issues of overcrowding, lax security, and unmanaged fan aggression, frequently culminate in devastating human cost. This recent incident, which claimed 11 lives and injured many more, mirrors historical tragedies across cricket, football, and hockey events, highlighting a systemic failure to prioritise crowd safety. Until robust crowd management protocols are consistently implemented, stringent security measures are enforced, and accountability for negligence is firmly established, the potential for such preventable disasters to recur will unfortunately remain a persistent threat to the joy and passion of Indian sports.
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