Karur Stampede Tragedy: 39 Dead at Vijay’s Rally

Massive Stampede Strikes Karur During Political Event

A tragic stampede erupted during actor-turned-politician Vijay’s public rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, on Saturday evening. The incident, which has sent shockwaves across the state, has so far claimed the lives of 39 individuals, with 51 others critically injured and currently receiving intensive care treatment, as confirmed by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.

CM Stalin Responds with Urgency and Condolences

Immediately following the devastating incident, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin convened a high-level emergency meeting late into the night. He later visited the hospital to offer his condolences to the families of the deceased and to meet with those who were injured.

Speaking to the media, Stalin remarked, “This is an unprecedented tragedy in the political history of our state. Never before have so many lives been lost during a political gathering. This must never be allowed to happen again.”

Compensation Announced for Victims’ Families

As part of the state’s response, CM Stalin announced financial relief for the affected families. A compensation of ₹10 lakh will be provided to the families of each deceased victim, while those injured will receive ₹1 lakh. Additionally, a special investigation committee has been constituted, led by a retired High Court judge, to probe the cause and lapses that led to this calamity. The committee has been tasked with submitting a detailed report on the sequence of events and administrative accountability.

How the Stampede Unfolded: Eyewitness Accounts

According to eyewitnesses, the area had been swelling with crowds hours before Vijay’s scheduled appearance. Despite expectations of a sizeable turnout, the event was delayed by several hours, and Vijay took the stage only around 7:40 PM. By then, the crowd had grown restless and dense, with many people pushing toward the stage.

Witnesses reported that suffocation and jostling began as people surged forward. Several fainted due to breathlessness, and in the ensuing chaos, a stampede broke out, resulting in multiple casualties.

Overcrowding and Poor Logistics Blamed

Event Attendance Surpasses Estimates

Tamil Nadu’s acting Director General of Police (DGP), G. Venkataraman, revealed that organizers had anticipated a turnout of approximately 10,000 to 30,000 attendees. However, the actual number exceeded 27,000, overwhelming both the organizers and law enforcement personnel.

Permission for the event had been granted for the hours between 3 PM and 10 PM, but people began arriving as early as 11 AM. By the time Vijay arrived in the evening, the crowd had been standing under the sun for hours, many without access to food or drinking water.

Call for Greater Accountability

DGP Venkataraman acknowledged that while more than 500 police personnel had been deployed, the burden of crowd control should have been more evenly shared. “While Vijay appreciated the efforts of the police, it’s imperative that party workers and event organizers take responsibility for crowd management,” he stated.

About the Author

Sorit Chaudhary

Author

View All Posts