How Chaos Broke Out At Vijay’s Karur Rally Stampede In Tamil Nadu

The recent rally in Karur, led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, faced a tragic turn due to overcrowding. The event, organised by Vijay's party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), saw a stampede-like situation resulting in at least 10 deaths and 30 injuries. Overcrowding is being blamed as the primary cause of this unfortunate incident.

Overwhelming Crowd at Karur Rally

Eyewitnesses reported that chaos erupted around 7:45 PM when large sections of the crowd surged towards the stage barricades to see Vijay. This rush led to several people fainting, including children who got separated from their families. Volunteers and police were unable to manage the situation promptly.

Visuals from the rally showed Vijay pausing his speech to address the unfolding crisis. In one video, he was seen distributing water bottles and calling out for a missing child. Despite permissions for 30,000 attendees, local reports indicated nearly 60,000 people attended, many arriving on foot or by tractors and buses.

Challenges Faced During the Event

Police sources revealed that the turnout exceeded expectations significantly. Entry points became chokeholds as stage barricades failed to withstand the crowd's pressure. The absence of buffer zones around the stage contributed to people moving dangerously close to catch a glimpse of Vijay.

Ambulances struggled to navigate through the congested area. Volunteers eventually formed human chains to create pathways for those injured. Many were taken to Karur District Headquarters Hospital, while others were referred to medical colleges in Erode and Tiruchirappalli.

District officials confirmed 10 fatalities with concerns that numbers might rise once all hospital reports are compiled. Among the injured, at least 30 suffered fractures and respiratory issues due to the crush.

A probe has been ordered into this tragic incident at Vijay's rally in Karur. The investigation aims to understand how such overcrowding occurred despite initial estimates and permissions granted for a smaller audience size.