At least 39 people, including nine children, lost their lives and more than 50 were injured during a stampede at actor-politician Vijay’s rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, on Saturday. A case has been registered against functionaries of Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). The FIR specifically names the party’s Karur West district president, V.P. Mathiyazhakan, who served as the chief organiser of the event, Mathrubhumi reporte. Here’s a look at five key reasons behind the disaster.
TVK rally stampede: Massive overcrowding
The rally was initially planned for around 10,000 attendees, but nearly 27,000 to 60,000 people were present at the venue, according to multiple reports. According to Mathurbhumi, TVK organisers had initially requested crowded spots like the Karur Bus Stand roundabout and the Lighthouse area for the event, but police denied permission. The event was eventually held at Velusamypuram, the same venue where just two days ago, AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami organised his rally.
Late arrival of the Chief guest
Another major reason behind the stampede was the late arrival of Vijay. He was scheduled to arrive at noon but reached only around 7:30 pm, several hours after the event’s planned start at 3 pm. According to Mathrubhumi, the crowd began gathering around 9 am, and by 2 pm, the venue was already nearing capacity with over 5,000 people. When Vijay finally arrived, fans and supporters crowded around his vehicle, causing further delays. By the time he reached the stage, many who had been standing since morning were struggling without food or water. With no space to move, some people fainted and collapsed on the TV broadcast vans and generators nearby.
Lack of adequate crowd control
The report says that police had deployed over 500 personnel, but given the size of the crowd, this was insufficient. Organisers and party workers were expected to manage the attendees, but gaps in coordination left the crowd panicking for help. When Vijay’s vehicle tried to reach the stage, people were forced to push and jostle. Meanwhile, Vijay had already been provided with ‘Y’ category security. Survivors have blamed the disaster on poor crowd management and the lack of adequate police presence.
Heat, exhaustion and power cut
The rally took place under scorching sunlight. Many supporters, including women and children, fainted due to dehydration and exhaustion. Actor-turned-politician Vijay was criticised for moving through the crowd without fully grasping the situation. Reportedly, the TVK leader halted his speech midway to distribute water bottles, but the rush to grab them turned fatal.
During Vijay’s speech, a sudden power cut caused confusion among the crowd. A witness told Puthiyathalaimurai TV from a hospital ward that when the lights went out, people couldn’t hear him and a large section of the crowd was violently pushed forward. This sudden, uncontrolled movement caused people to fall, including supporters who were attempting to climb an adjacent tree, which eventually collapsed, triggering panic and fatal consequences.
Hampered emergency response
The massive crowd and poor management completely blocked all access routes. As per Mint, after the stampede began, ambulances had a hard time reaching the venue. The delay in medical assistance prevented timely treatment for those who had fainted or been injured, which unfortunately contributed to the high death toll. Authorities have warned that the death toll may rise further.