Chennai: Less than five months after at least 40 people died in a stampede in Tamil Nadu’s Karur, another tragedy struck on Friday at actor-turned-politician Vijay’s pre-election rally in Salem.
A 37-year-old fan, identified as Suraj, suddenly fainted during the TVK party’s rally. He was rushed to a hospital, but was declared dead.
Suraj, a resident of Maharashtra, was a huge Vijay fan, reported ANI. He reportedly suffered a heatstroke which turned fatal.
“During the event, he suddenly collapsed. He was rushed for medical assistance but was declared dead, reportedly due to a heart attack. Further inquiries are being conducted into the incident,” police officials told the news agency.
Police sources told India Today that dehydration was the primary reason behind the man’s death. The victim also suffered from heart ailments.
India Today also reported that the organisers allowed more than 7,000 people to enter the venue where the maximum limit was 5,000.
Some eyewitnesses said sick people were among those in the crowd.
AIADMK leader CTR Nirmal Kumar expressed “deepest condolences for the untimely death of young Suraj.”
“He was immediately given first aid, and administrators rushed him to the hospital at the right time. However, Suraj’s death due to a heart attack is heartbreaking,” he wrote in a post on X.
