“I Was In Guilt”: Vijay Visits Families After Deadly GOAT Fan Event Stampede
In an emotionally charged meeting, Tamil superstar Vijay consoled the grieving families of victims who died in the July 18 stampede at his The Greatest of All Time (GOAT) fan event in Chennai. The actor, known for his tough on-screen roles, openly wept while apologizing for the tragedy that killed 4 and injured 20+ fans.
Chennai Stampede: What Happened?
The fatal crowd crush occurred outside Chennai Trade Centre during a promotional event for Vijay’s upcoming film. Preliminary reports cite:
– Overcrowding beyond venue capacity
– Inadequate crowd control barriers
– Fans rushing for free passes as key triggers
Victims included young fans aged 18-25 and a 42-year-old woman, all reportedly crushed in the surge. The incident has ignited nationwide debates about celebrity event safety protocols.
Vijay’s Emotional Apology to Grieving Families
Eyewitnesses described the actor’s raw grief during home visits:
– Broke down while hugging family members
– Vowed lifelong educational support for victims’ children
– Pledged ₹50 lakh compensation per deceased family
“I haven’t slept since that day,” Vijay told reporters. “No fan should die for wanting to see me.”
Public Outcry and Industry Response
Support for Vijay:
-
WeStandWithThalapathy trends on Twitter/X
- Fans praise accountability: “Real heroes own their mistakes”
Criticisms and Demands:
- Opposition parties blame TN govt for lax oversight
- Event organizers face police investigation
- Film federation proposes new crowd management guidelines
Vijay’s 5-Point Safety Pledge
- Expert consultations for future event planning
- Reduced crowd sizes at promotions
- Donation to CMDRF for safety training
- Medical camps at all fan events
- Legal support for victims’ families
Ongoing Fallout
- GOAT team cancels remaining promotions
- Chennai Police reviewing CCTV footage
- State govt announces compensation package
Industry analysts note this tragedy may permanently change how South Indian stars interact with fans.
