The accident that took place in Tamil Nadu on Saturday has once again raised serious questions about crowd management and public safety in India. Currently, the investigation of the incident is ongoing.
Three of his close associates were charged by police on Sunday with criminal homicide and negligence after at least 40 people were killed in a stampede at a rally in south India by actor and politician Vijay.
On Saturday, around 27,000 people gathered in Karur district of Tamil Nadu state to witness the victory. With the crowd nearly three times larger than expected, panic ensued and a fatal accident .
Such crowd accidents in India are often caused by large gatherings and poor security preparations. This time too, the witnesses said that insufficient police presence, some people climbing trees and spectators falling and waiting for hours caused the accident.
The police arrested senior members of Vijay's party Busi Anand, G.R. Nirmal Kumar and V.P. A criminal case has been registered against Mathiajagan. Senior police officer S. Davidson Devasiravatham said, 'The case has been registered . The investigation will identify all those involved .'
Senior District Officer M. According to Thangavel, the death toll has reached 40, including nine children.
Vijay released a statement and said, 'There are no words to express the pain in my heart . This is an irreparable loss.'He has announced compensation of 2 million baht to the families of each of the deceased and 2 million baht to the injured.
In videos circulated on social media, Vijay is seen throwing water bottles at his supporters in Hailkayl before the panic spread. He had to stop his speech as the crowd became unruly.
state police chief G. According to Venktarman, the crowd started gathering from 11 am but Vijay reached the event only at 7:40 pm.
'People had to wait for hours in the hot sun for lack of food and water', he said .
Although it was estimated that ten thousand people would come, the situation got out of control after the presence of nearly 27 thousand people. 19-year-old B. who survived by reaching the
assembly. Kanishk said, 'Suddenly the crowd pushed me down . I fainted .'
Other eyewitnesses also said that poor organization, long waits and lack of police at the scene led to the accident .
Local media mentioned that panic spread after some supporters who climbed the tree fell down.
India has had major accidents in the past due to poor crowd control . In January this year, 30 people died in a religious fair in Uttar Pradesh. Last year, 121 people died during a Hindu prayer meeting in the same state.
In June this year, 11 fans were crushed to death by a crowd during a cricket festival in Bengaluru.
Vijay established his own party in 2024 . Aiming at the Tamil Nadu state elections to be held in 2026, every event he organizes draws huge crowds.
