Stampede at TVK Chief Vijay's Rally Leaves At least 36 Dead: How It Unfolded, What We Know

Karur: A stampede occurred at TVK chief Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar aka Thalapathy Vijay's rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur on Saturday evening after a huge crowd turned out to listen to the actor-turned-politician.

According to reports, at least 36 deaths including children have been reported so far while dozens are injured. The Ministry of Home Affairs has sought a detailed report from the Tamil Nadu government on the stampede, government sources said.

• According to reports, TVK chief Thalapathy Vijay was supposed to arrive early at the venue where the rally was scheduled to take place, but his arrival was delayed.
• The crowd, which had started to gather very early, began to swell as TVK chief Vijay was about to arrive.
• As people kept coming to witness actor-turned-politician TVK chief Vijay, several individuals started feeling dizzy and unconscious.
• Due to the large crowd stretching for hundreds of meters, ambulances also struggled to rush people to the nearby hospital.
• TVK chief Vijay stopped his address and was seen informing the people that ambulances were coming. Many supporters and party workers were seen throwing water bottles towards those falling unconscious.
• Terrible scenes have been reported at the Government Medical College and Hospital where those who fell unconcious were brought for treatment.
• Former Tamil Nadu Minister and DMK leader V Senthil Balaji who was present at the Government Medical College and Hospital, Karur said, "Till now, 31 people have died in the stampede and 58 people have been admitted."
• "After the stampede incident, the CM immediately enquired and ordered the district collector, SP, and me to rush to the hospital, advising us to call extra doctors and provide proper treatment...," V Senthil Balaji said.
• Tomorrow, the Chief Minister is going to come here himself. As of now, 46 persons are in private hospital, and 12 persons are admitted in a government hospital for treatment, the Senthil informed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jldQzh7rZdY

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, TN Chief Minister MK Stalin, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and several other leaders have express their condolences on the stampede incident.

Deeply Saddening, Thoughts With Families of Deceased, Says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X and expressed his condolence on the tragic incident during TVK chief Vijay's rally in TN's Karur.In his message, PM Modi wrote, "The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Wishing strength to them in this difficult time. Praying for a swift recovery to all those injured."