October 3, 2025

A huge crowd at a TVK political rally in Karur, led by actor-politician Vijay, turned fatal when a deadly crush took 41 lives, including nine innocent children. This heartbreaking scene is sadly not unique in India, where overcrowded rallies and events sometimes end in tragedy. What made this stampede so deadly? Experts say the main villain is compressive asphyxia — a scary condition where people can’t get enough oxygen because their chests are pressed tightly by the crowd. So, what is asphyxia? It means your body isn’t getting enough oxygen to function. We breathe in oxygen, which our blood sends to every cell in the body, and breathe out harmful carbon dioxide. But during asphyxia, oxygen is cut off, making a person unconscious or even causing death. There are many kinds of asphyxia. The Cleveland Clinic explains some key types: - Mechanical asphyxia: when something physically stops you from breathing. - Traumatic asphyxia: a harsh force squeezes the chest strongly, pushing blood backward into the neck and brain. - Perinatal asphyxia: when newborn babies don’t get enough oxygen during birth. - Compressive asphyxia: chest or belly is pressed hard by a force, like a crowd crushing someone. Other types include suffocation, chemical asphyxia, strangulation, and drowning. In a packed crowd, when people push and squeeze together, the diaphragm — a muscle needed for breathing — gets trapped and can’t move. Without its movement, air can’t flow in or out. So, oxygen drops and dangerous carbon dioxide builds up. This suffocates the body’s organs and can cause death. How dense can crowds get before they become dangerous? Experts say five people per square metre is the safe upper limit. Beyond six or seven per square metre, it’s tough to move or breathe freely. The UK’s Green Guide recommends no more than 4.7 people per square metre at sports events. Even before a stampede breaks out, such crammed crowds may cause breathing troubles and panic. Want to stay safe in big crowds? Here are some colorful safety tips: - Check the event place and weather before going. - Bring a friend and wear bright clothes. - Always find all exit points and plan how to reach them. - Hold railings for support if needed. - Try to move diagonally or sideways to reach open space. - If you feel unsafe, don’t hesitate to leave early. - Keep a safe meeting point in case phones lose signal. Remember, being alert can save lives when stepping into a sea of people. Stay aware, stay safe! This tragic Karur rally is a reminder of how deadly crowds can be and why knowing about compressive asphyxia is essential for everyone.

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Tags: Compressive asphyxia, Crowd safety, Karur rally, Stampede deaths, Oxygen deprivation, Crowd crush,