Stampede at Vijay's Karur rally leaves 36 dead, several injured; police cite overcrowding and venue issues
Karur: A senior police official said the organisers of TVK chief and actor Vijay's election campaign in Karur had refused to hold the meeting in an open space, which contributed to the stampede on Saturday evening. The massive crowd led to a stampede that claimed 36 lives and left several others injured.
As reported by The Hindu, the police official said that many people walking alongside the vehicle grew exhausted while the crowd swelled. He added that no drinking water facilities were provided, and several women had attended the rally with children. The officer noted that an open ground would have been a safer option for the event.
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Sources claimed that the overcrowding at the venue triggered the panic and the subsequent stampede. Expressing shock over the incident, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami condoled the deaths in the incident.
Several attendees fainted and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Sources said that overcrowding at the venue led to the tragedy.
Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi on Saturday expressed deepest condolences on the lives lost in the stampede during TVK chief and actor Vijay's public rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur. He wished for the speedy recovery of the people injured in the incident.
In a post from Raj Bhavan, Tamil Nadu, shortly after the incident, R N Ravi, "Deeply pained and anguished by the tragic loss of innocent lives, including children, during a political rally in Karur. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families in this time of grief and prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured."
(with inputs from agencies)
Published: 28 Sept 2025, 12:04 am IST
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