Vijay's 'show of strength' breaks TN hearts; 38, including six children, dead in stampede; toll expected to rise

CHENNAI: Tense wailing, clatter of stretchers, and sirens blaring from ambulances reverberated across Karur after the campaign rally organised by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president and Tamil superstar Vijay ended in disaster. 38 people died in a stampede during a rally attended by almost two lakh supporters of actor Vijay.

These victims included six children and 16 women. More than 60 people were injured. 12 people are in critical condition. The Tamil Nadu government announced a financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each to the kin of the victims. The hospital superintendent presaged that the death toll may rise further.

Vijay stopped his speech midway after seeing people collapsing to the ground in fatigue, leading to the stampede. With the situation going out of hand and deaths getting reported, Vijay flew to Chennai after leaving the venue enveloped by his security entourage. Karur police registered a case against the organisers of the rally. A case may also be registered against Vijay. The Tamil Nadu government announced a judicial inquiry. The police said that the rally was organised by breaching safety norms. There are also reports that a stampede-like situation was created after the bouncers of Vijay started pushing away people in an indignant manner.

Vijay's political campaign tour, which began in Namakkal, arrived in Karur late last night. Fans who had been waiting for hours were thronging to get a closer look at their beloved star. Initial reports suggest that those who collapsed were trampled to death. The injured were taken to Karur Medical College and nearby hospitals. It was nearly impossible for ambulances to reach the spot, breaking through the sea of people. The police and party workers struggled to clear the way. The delay in taking the injured to the hospital added to the worries. Even after two hours of the stampede, ambulances were seen at the hospital bringing the injured. Heartbreaking scenes ensued in front of hospitals after clueless relatives of victims cried in pain, while others searched in anguish over missing people from the crowd.

The ADGP in charge of law and order and the District Collector are on site.

As soon as the information was received, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin instructed Minister Anbil Mahesh and former Minister Senthil Balaji to reach the hospital. Stalin will reach Karur on Sunday.

Pic credits: PTI