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Ambulance service owner, identified as Surya, claimed that his team faced a major challenge trying to get small ambulances through a very tight space in the crowd.
Victims being taken to hospital after a stampede-like situation was witnessed during a rally presided by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief and actor Vijay, in Karur district, Tamil Nadu. (IMAGE: PTI)
Karur Stampede: A political rally led by actor-turned-politician Vijay in Tamil Nadu’s Karur took a tragic turn on Saturday after a stampede broke out that left at least 40 dead and several others injured.
Meanwhile, ambulances that were transporting the stampede victims to hospital were attacked, the owner of the ambulance service claimed, as reported by India Today.
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Ambulance service owner, identified as Surya, claimed that his team faced a major challenge trying to get small ambulances through a very tight space in the crowd. The mob was in a state of chaos, with people panicking and unable to breathe.
“TVK cadres thought we were entering to disperse the crowd,” he alleged, adding that eight ambulances were used, and nine bodies were transported to hospitals, the report added.
He further said that people were standing atop makeshift shade sheets on rooftops that gave way under the pressure of the crowd. Many fell into the crush; only a few escaped.
He claimed that his five ambulances were attacked during the rescue. Amid the pandemonium, one driver’s key and phone were seized, delaying rescue work by about two hours, the news outlet said.
Karur Stampede
A political rally led by actor-turned-politician Vijay in Tamil Nadu’s Karur took a tragic turn after a stampede broke out that left at least 40 dead and several others injured.
Visuals shared online show a massive crowd gathered at night for a political rally. Thousands of people were seen packed tightly on both sides of the road, cheering and waving, while a large campaign vehicle made its way through the centre.
Mounds of shoes and chappals, crushed water bottles, torn party flags, pieces of clothes, broken poles, shreds of paper sprayed from party poppers and striking garbage of sorts, at the venue only reminded of the tragic incident.
A young man, among the crowd at the stampede spot, who managed to safely get out, claimed that several people were pushed to a ‘low-lying sewerage’ close to the road margin as many tried to get out at the same time. He regretted that what began as a ‘celebration time’ to hail their beloved matinee idol ended in tragedy.
The crowd swelled and became uncontrollable, even as Vijay was addressing the gathering, leading to people fainting. The fainted people were shifted to hospitals in ambulances, and some of them are reportedly battling for their lives.
Vijay on Sunday announced that Rs 20 lakh would be given to the families of those who lost their lives at a stampede. He said he is deeply anguished over the incident, which claimed more than 30 lives and left many others injured.
About the Author
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More
Karur, India, India
September 28, 2025, 17:07 IST
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