Karur stampede: TN education minister breaks down after seeing children’s bodies | WATCH

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi broke down in tears on Sunday after seeing the bodies of children who lost their lives in the Karur stampede during actor-politician Vijay’s September 27 rally.

A video of the minister weeping at the Karur Government Medical College and Hospital — where he had gone with DMK leader and former minister V Senthil Balaji to meet the injured — circulated widely on social media.

The tragedy unfolded when nearly 30,000 people thronged the rally ground to hear Vijay, chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

His arrival, delayed by over seven hours, led to the crowd swelling dangerously. Officials said at least 39 people, including 16 women, 15 men, and eight children, were killed, and 83 others were injured.

According to police, the crush began after some attendees fainted in the densely packed crowd. Videos showed Vijay halting his speech, tossing bottles of water to people struggling in the heat, and appealing for ambulances.

At a late-night press briefing, Tamil Nadu DGP G Venkatraman said permission had been granted for the rally from 10 am to 3 pm, but the actor arrived only at 7.40 pm.

“They said 10,000 people would come, but more than 27,000 came,” he said, noting many in the crowd had gone without food or water all day.

Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed shock and grief, announcing ₹10 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased and ₹1 lakh for those in intensive care.

He has ordered an inquiry led by retired High Court judge Aruna Jagadeesan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed condolences, calling the incident “deeply saddening.”

Following the tragedy, Vijay flew from Trichy to Chennai, where he told reporters: “My heart is shattered, writhing in pain.” Police have registered a case against TVK’s Karur district secretary Muthiyazhagan, who organised the rally.