CHENNAI, Sep 27: At least 33 people, including children, have died and dozens more were critically injured in a stampede during a massive rally of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder-president and actor Vijay this evening in Karur.
The stampede occurred shortly after Vijay completed his address and left the venue in his caravan. The critically injured, including 10 women, are being treated at Karur Government Hospital, while several others have been admitted to private hospitals.
Heart-wrenching visuals of a parent holding the body of his child and bodies being taken to the mortuary were broadcast on television. Additional ambulances are arriving at the hospital as parents search for missing children.
Officials said the rally venue was narrow, and large crowds began gathering early in the day. Vijay’s delayed arrival, over four hours later after completing a rally in Namakkal, contributed to the chaos. Despite repeated appeals from the actor to avoid bringing children and the elderly, crowds continued to amass. While the area could accommodate around 15,000 people, locals estimate nearly 100,000 had gathered.
Former Minister V. Senthil Balaji, accompanied by the District Collector and Superintendent of Police, is at the hospital monitoring relief and life-saving efforts. Due to a shortage of doctors, additional medical personnel from nearby areas have been called in to assist.
Expressing shock and grief, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin directed Health Minister Ma. Subramanian and ADGP Davidson Devasirvatham to proceed to Karur immediately. He also stated that he is in constant touch with Senthil Balaji and the District Collector.
(UNI)
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