What began as a moment of pure joy for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans quickly turned into a heartbreaking tragedy. On Wednesday, June 5, 2025, as thousands gathered near Chinnaswamy Stadium to celebrate RCB’s historic first IPL title in 18 years, a stampede broke out, killing at least 11 people and injuring several others. Fans had gathered in huge numbers for the victory parade to cheer for their team, but the overwhelming crowd spiraled out of control. The authorities struggled to manage the growing crowd, leading to chaos and a fatal stampede near the stadium. This incident has once again brought to light India’s persistent struggle with crowd safety and management, especially during high-profile public events. A Year of Stampedes: Over 50 Lives Lost in 2025 So Far India has already seen a series of deadly stampedes this year across different states and settings—from temples to train stations to religious festivals. February 15, 2025: At New Delhi Railway Station, a rush on platforms 14 and 15 led to a stampede that killed 18 people and injured 15. Most victims were pilgrims heading to Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. January 29, 2025: During the Maha Kumbh, a stampede at the Sangam area in Prayagraj resulted in 30 deaths and 60 injuries as lakhs of devotees pushed forward to take a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya. May 3, 2025: A stampede during the annual festival at Sri Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao village, Goa, killed six people and left around 100 injured in the early hours. January 8, 2025: At Tirumala Hills, at least six devotees died and dozens were injured while rushing for tickets to Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple. Stampede Deaths from Past Years India’s long history with fatal stampedes reflects the need for urgent reforms in crowd control and public safety. Here are some of the major tragedies from recent years: December 4: A 35-year-old woman died and a boy was injured during a stampede at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad during the screening of Allu Arjun’s ‘Pushpa 2’. July 2: A massive satsang by Bhole Baba in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh turned into a nightmare as 121 people died and dozens were hurt in a stampede. March 31, 2023: 36 devotees died when a slab over a stepwell collapsed during a Ram Navami havan at a temple in Indore. January 1, 2022: A New Year visit to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine turned tragic after a stampede killed 12 people and injured many more. September 29, 2017: A commuter rush at Elphinstone Road station in Mumbai caused a stampede that killed 23 and left 36 injured. July 14, 2015: 27 pilgrims died during Pushkaram festival in Andhra Pradesh's Rajahmundry due to crowd crush near the Godavari river. October 3, 2014: 32 people lost their lives in Gandhi Maidan, Patna, right after Dussehra celebrations ended. October 13, 2013: At Ratangarh temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Datia, a stampede triggered by rumours about a bridge collapse left 115 dead. November 19, 2012: A makeshift bridge collapsed during Chhath Puja at Adalat Ghat, Patna, killing about 20 people. November 8, 2011: At least 20 devotees died at Haridwar’s Har-ki-Pauri ghat during a religious gathering. January 14, 2011: A jeep crash into a crowd at Pulmedu, Kerala led to the death of 104 Sabarimala pilgrims. March 4, 2010: 63 people were killed at the Ram Janki Temple in Pratapgarh, UP, where crowds had gathered for free food and clothing. The Worst of the Worst: Stampedes That Shook the Nation September 30, 2008: A stampede during Navratri at Chamunda Devi temple in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur left nearly 250 dead. It was triggered by rumours of a bomb. August 3, 2008: 162 devotees died and 47 were injured during a stampede at Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh, sparked by fear of a landslide. January 25, 2005: In Mandhardevi temple, Maharashtra, over 340 people were killed and hundreds injured when slippery steps and a falling crowd caused a stampede. August 27, 2003: At the Kumbh Mela in Nashik, 39 people died and 140 were injured during the holy bath. Why Do These Tragedies Keep Happening? Each of these incidents reflects the lack of preparedness, crowd control infrastructure, and sometimes even basic safety awareness. Whether it’s a temple, a movie theatre, or a cricket stadium, poor planning, overcrowding, and misinformation have repeatedly led to devastating results. Despite years of repeated warnings and numerous loss-of-life events, crowd management remains a critical weakness in India’s public safety strategy. Experts have long urged for better surveillance, regulated entry systems, and trained personnel to handle crowds—but the calls for reform often fade once the headlines do. ALSO READ: Chennai Amusement Park Ride Malfunctions, 30 Stranded Mid-Air For Over 3 Hours