Bengaluru: Star cricketer Virat Kohli has spoken publicly for the first time about the tragic stampede at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during the RCB title celebrations on June 4, which left 11 people dead and dozens injured.
In a heartfelt statement released through Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Kohli said the incident had weighed heavily on him.
“Nothing in life prepares you for a heartbreak like June 4. What should have been our happiest moment turned into something painful. My thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost their loved ones and with the fans who were injured. Their loss is part of our journey now, and we must move forward with care and responsibility,” Kohli said.
The stampede broke out when nearly 2.5 lakh fans attempted to enter the stadium after invitations to the event spread rapidly on social media. An inquiry later found lapses in clearances and serious gaps in crowd control. Bengaluru Police admitted they were unable to handle the overwhelming numbers, while RCB was pulled up for encouraging mass participation.
In response, the franchise has announced Rs 25 lakh compensation for each bereaved family and launched an initiative called ‘RCB Cares’, which aims to improve crowd safety at sporting events in partnership with stadium authorities and league organizers.
The tragedy has cast a long shadow over what was supposed to be a historic day for RCB and its fans, with Kohli’s message underscoring the need for greater accountability and compassion going forward.
