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The father of the stampede’s youngest victim said he was at work and had left his son with his sister, who took him along to TVK chief Vijay’s rally
Heartrending visuals of a family mourning a minor victim of the Karur stampede, have surfaced. (Image: News18/video grab)
The youngest victim of the Karur stampede, in which 40 people were killed during TVK chief Vijay’s rally in Tamil Nadu, was an 18-month-old toddler.
The victim’s distraught father, who did not identify himself or his son, told News18 he was not even present for his child’s final moments because he was at work.
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He said he had left his son with his sister, who took him along to the rally. When he got his son’s body, however, it had “at least 32 injury marks”, he added.
The man said there was a power cut at the rally during which his son fell to the ground and people stamped over him in the rush. At the venue, people pushed away tin sheets used to barricade and make enclosure kind of spaces and many who climbed on to thatched roof structures nearby fell down and sustained injuries.
Almost at the same time, police baton-charged to control the situation. However, people, including children, who were caught in the crowd and fell down, could not comprehend what was happening.
The toddler, however, is not the only minor victim of the horrifying stampede. A total of 10 children were among the 40 dead.
Staff at the Karur government hospital themselves were rattled by the unceasing siren of ambulances bringing injured people and policemen pitched in by carrying the victims to the treatment ward. There were heartrending visuals of men and women crying by holding motionless children.
Apart from the toddler, a four-year-old, one seven-year-old, two eight-year-olds, one 11-year-old, one 13-year-old, two 14-year-olds and a 17-year-old are also included in a list accessed by News18, which so far has the details of at least 34 deaths. The list shows at least 14 victims in their 20s and 30s. As details of more deaths come in, the numbers could change.
Vijay has announced a financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh to the families of those who lost their lives at the stampede. He said Rs 2 lakh will be given to those who sustained injuries.
The actor-politician said he was deeply anguished over the incident. Expressing his condolences to the bereaved families in a social media post on Sunday, he said, “It is not a huge amount for the loss you have suffered. I know your loss cannot be replaced. It is an irreparable loss. However, it is my duty to stand next to you in this hour and share your grief.”
Earlier, the TVK made a mention before Justice M Dhandapani of the Madras High Court to order CBI or special investigation team (SIT) probe into the tragedy. In the alternative, they requested the court to initiate suo motu proceedings into the incident. A TVK party functionary, Nirmal Kumar, said the judge asked the party to file a petition before the Madurai bench and it will be taken up for hearing on Monday at 2.15 pm.
The party came under sharp criticism from several quarters for the poor arrangement at the weekend political rally where the crowd continued to swell as Vijay’s arrival from Namakkal district got delayed by many hours. And when he finally arrived at the venue at around 7 pm the tragedy was awaiting to unfold.
Though former chief minister and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami blamed the police and administration, police claimed that the situation went out of control as several thousands of persons far beyond the expected numbers gathered to see the actor.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin rushed from Chennai to Karur and interacted with doctors on the treatment being provided to the affected people and comforted them and assured them of best care.
(With agency inputs)
About the Author
Poornima Murali, Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, has reported for over a decade on civic and political issues in Tamil Nadu. She has been helming the Chennai bureau for the channel for years now. A …Read More
Poornima Murali, Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, has reported for over a decade on civic and political issues in Tamil Nadu. She has been helming the Chennai bureau for the channel for years now. A … Read More
September 28, 2025, 15:44 IST
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