At least 36 are feared dead, many among them children, after collapsing during a rally addressed by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president and actor, Vijay, in Karur on Saturday, said former Tamil Nadu minister, Senthilbalaji.
According to hospital authorities who are treating the injured, at least 500 are admitted while 400 more are being brought in.
There were huge crowds gathered for the Tamil Nadu rally where Vijay was to address the people as part of his ongoing state tour. However, he arrived late at the venue, after which the crowd swelled and started jostling for space. The TVK chief abruptly ended his speech as people began to faint, reported a news agency.
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Several people who had fainted were rushed to the Karur Medical College Hospital and other private hospitals nearby.
Earlier, a doctor at the Karur Medical College told a senior English daily reporter that at least seven adults and three children had died because of the stampede. “More cases are coming in, and ambulances are still arriving. We need more time to compile the complete details,” he said.
Meanwhile, state chief minister MK Stalin has ordered Karur district secretary V Senthilbalaji to monitor the situation.
"The news coming from Karur is worrying. I have asked for immediate medical treatment to the public who were admitted to hospital after they fainted due to the stampede," Stalin said in a post on X in Tamil.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi too expressed his condolence in a post on X, saying he is deeply saddened.
There were at least 30,000 people at the venue, according to reports.
On September 20, Vijay's TVK had asked for strict safety and conduct guidelines for its supporters ahead of his statewide campaign. The announcement came after the Madras High Court's observations on damage to public property during his Trichy rally a week before.
Justice N Sathish Kumar referred to the chaos at Vijay's Tiruchi rally on September 13, and said, "If something untoward had happened, who would take responsibility? As party president, Vijay ought to control the crowds."
The party's advisory bans workers and supporters from organising public receptions for Vijay, from following his vehicle or convoy, etc. The party had also asked pregnant women, children, senior citizens, the differently abled and the sick to avoid attending rallies in person, asking them to follow the campaigns online instead.
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