At least 31 people died and several others were injured after a stampede-like situation broke out at a TVK campaign in Karur. Here is how the tragedy unfolded:
- Actor-turned-politician Vijay was holding a campaign rally in Karur on Saturday, which attracted a huge crowd as the TVK chief’s vehicle made its way slowly through thousands of supporters. According to reports, the rally was delayed by 6 hours.
- However, he was forced to pause his speech briefly after several party workers fainted in the crowded rally, with two ambulances rushing them to hospital.
- As tension grew in the overcrowded crowd, Vijay personally handed out water bottles to supporters. “Police please help,” he reportedly said after a child went missing in the crowd.
- As of now, at least 31 people have lost their lives including 3 children.
- After the incident, Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin instructed the Karur district collector to rush to the scene and arrange immediate medical support, including assistance from neighbouring districts. The ADGP (Law and Order), Davidson Devasirvatham, has also been asked to head to the spot. The CM further directed the health and school education ministers to proceed to Karur without delay.
- All available doctors at Karur Government Hospital have been called in to assist at the Accident and Emergency Care Initiative ward.
- The chief minister has departed for the Secretariat to confer with senior officials regarding the Karur stampede. Authorities have yet to provide official figures on casualties or the scale of damage, and more information is expected as the situation unfolds.
- The Union home ministry has sought a report from Tamil Nadu government on stampede, as per sources cited by PTI.
PM Modi also offered condolences to the victims of the tragedy, saying “the unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Wishing strength to them in this difficult time. Praying for a swift recovery to all those injured.”President Droupadi Murmu also expressed her anguish upon learning about the tragic loss of lives in a stampede-like incident in Karur district of Tamil Nadu. “I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for early recovery of those injured,” she wrote on X.AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami expressed shock over the incident and offered condolences to the families of the deceased. In a post on X, he stated that he has directed former Minister MR Vijayabhaskar to visit the hospital personally and extend support to the injured.In a post on X, the AIADMK leader wrote, “The news that more than 29 people lost their lives and several others fainted and are receiving treatment in the hospital due to the crowd chaos during the campaign meeting of the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam party held in Karur, where its leader Vijay spoke, is both shocking and distressing.”
