In the wake of the devastating stampede in Karur, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi contacted Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to convey his sympathies. The Chief Minister subsequently posted about their conversation on X, thanking Gandhi for his concern.
Chief Minister Stalin’s X post read: “My dear brother Thiru Rahul Gandhi, thank you for contacting me on the phone and for expressing your deep concern about the tragic incident in Karur and for sincerely inquiring about the steps taken to save the lives of those being treated.”
The stampede happened on Saturday in Karur during a public event hosted by actor-turned-politician Vijay Thalapathy, resulting in 40 fatalities and over 70 injuries. Overcrowding and a lack of sufficient exit points are believed to have contributed to the chaos. There are also reports that a rumor about a missing child exacerbated the panic.
The state government has announced financial assistance for the families of the deceased and those severely injured. A special medical team has been mobilized to provide care to the injured, and hospitals throughout the region are on high alert. Actor Vijay has also pledged financial support, offering ₹20 lakh to the families of the deceased and ₹2 lakh to the injured.
The opposition parties have criticized the Stalin government for its handling of the Karur incident. Leaders from AIADMK and BJP expressed their grief and criticized the government’s decision to allow such a large gathering. They allege that government negligence led to the tragedy.
A high-level committee has been established by Chief Minister Stalin to investigate the incident. The committee will assess the event’s crowd control measures and determine which officials are responsible for any failures. Police are also gathering video evidence and witness statements from the scene.