A horrific stampede at actor-politician Vijay’s rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, on Saturday resulted in a significant loss of life and injuries among the attendees. The event, marred by chaos, saw a much larger crowd than the organizers had prepared for. The anticipated attendance of roughly 10,000 people was dwarfed by the actual turnout, which reached approximately 27,000. This unforeseen surge in attendance created a volatile environment, leading to the devastating stampede. The incident resulted in the deaths of at least 39 individuals, including nine children, with over 50 others injured. The DGP in charge of Tamil Nadu, G Venkatraman, acknowledged the unexpectedly large crowd, emphasizing that prior rallies of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) had smaller attendances. He highlighted that the attendees had already waited for several hours without provisions before Vijay’s arrival, adding to the tension. The event was scheduled from 3 pm to 10 pm, but people began gathering early, from 11 am. By the time Vijay arrived, the crowd had endured hours of waiting without access to essential supplies. Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed deep sorrow and stated that such a large number of fatalities at a political event was unprecedented in the state’s history. He announced immediate relief measures for the victims’ families and initiated an inquiry to investigate the circumstances of the tragedy.
