36 Dead, Over 40 Injured At Actor-Politician Vijay’s Rally After Stampede-Like Situation

Chennai: A massive campaign rally by Tamil actor-turned-politician Vijay’s party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) at Karur turned tragic on Saturday evening.

At least 36 people, including 16 women and 8 children, died and more than 40 others were injured when a sudden crowd surge led to a stampede.

According to local officials, the casualties are likely to increase.

There has been no official intimation from the state government yet.

The incident, described as a “stampede-like crush” by the district administration, took place at Velusamypuram, on the Karur-Erode highway, where thousands had gathered for Vijay’s ‘Velicham Veliyeru’ (‘Let There Be Light’) campaign meeting, reported Hindustan Times.

Vijay was addressing party workers and fans when chaos and panic broke out, forcing him to halt his speech.

The actor-politician at one point called out to locate a missing child amid the chaos. “Police please help,” Vijay pleaded.

Television footage showed Vijay pausing his speech, distributing water bottles to those who fainted.

According to eyewitnesses, it was around 7.45 pm when a large section of the ever-swelling crowd surged towards the stage to catch a closer glimpse of Vijay.

Several people were suffocated, and many of them fainted.

Children were separated from their families, and many were trampled.

Ambulances were called in but it was difficult to navigate the overcrowded ground.

Police and volunteers had to form human chains to make way for the ambulance to pick up the injured and drive to hospitals. Some were transported to Karur District Hospital, while others were taken to Erode and Tiruchirappalli medical colleges.

According to police, the rally attracted a far bigger crowd than the administration expected.

Permission was granted for around 30,000 people, but as per local media reports, nearly 60,000 people assembled at Velusamypuram from surrounding districts.