What was meant to be a day of excitement and celebration turned into a nightmare in Karur, Tamil Nadu, as 39 lives were lost in a stampede at actor Vijay’s rally.

For many, it was a chance to see their beloved star in person, but joy quickly spiraled into chaos. Nanda Kumar, an eyewitness, described the horror with a heavy heart: “We were there ourselves… nothing could be done to control the crowd. People came with their families, with children, waiting for hours under difficult conditions. Everyone was hungry, tired, yet filled with the hope of seeing him. Then it all went wrong.”

He added that while safety measures were in place, the sheer size of the unexpected turnout overwhelmed everything. “Even if proper safety was planned, what can anyone do if ten or fifteen times more people show up? This was a serious mistake. I only pray the government gives full support to those who have lost so much.”

Another eyewitness, Suriya, spoke of the helplessness at the scene: “Ambulances couldn’t get in. There was no space to even stand. It took so long to bring people out.”

For Zakir, who lost a relative in the tragedy, the grief is unimaginable. “Vijay was supposed to arrive at 9 in the morning, but he came much later. Because of that, the crowd swelled beyond control. Near Thirukoilure, the rush was unbearable. There were so many youngsters, women, even children. In moments like this… it’s too painful. Women and children should never be put through something like this.”

What remains is not just sorrow for the lives lost, but haunting questions of whether this could have been avoided. The laughter, cheers, and excitement that once filled the air were drowned by cries for help. For the families mourning their loved ones, this was not just a rally gone wrong, it was the loss of a lifetime.

Source / Image Credit : ndtv, The Indian Express