'Not stampede, crowd crush': What we know about Tamil Nadu
A political rally in Tamil Nadu on September 27, 2025, turned tragic when overcrowding led to a deadly crowd crush, claiming 41 lives—many of them young adults.
The chaos began as people packed in from early morning to see actor Vijay, but with his late arrival and a delayed start, the venue became dangerously crowded.
As the event began, many fainted in the crowd.
What's the difference between a crowd crush and a stampede?
A crowd crush happens when people are packed so tightly that they can't move or breathe—often because too many show up for the space available.
In contrast, a stampede is when panic makes people suddenly rush in one direction; movement is possible but often unsafe for those who fall behind.
Experts say better planning and real-time crowd monitoring could help prevent these tragedies.
Probe ordered into incident
Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister has ordered an official probe into how this happened and how similar disasters can be avoided at future events.
New safety rules may soon be on the way to protect crowds at big gatherings across the state.