A massive crowd at actor and political leader Vijay’s campaign rally in Tamil Nadu’s Karur district turned tragic Saturday night when a sudden power outage sparked chaos and a deadly stampede. At least 31 people lost their lives, including 16 women, nine men, and six children, while dozens more suffered injuries, with many still in critical condition.
The rally, organized by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) party at Velusamipuram, kicked off around 7:20 p.m. Thousands showed up in high spirits to hear Vijay address local issues like illegal sand mining and mineral theft in Karur. He took sharp aim at the state government, even predicting a power shift in the next six months. But the festive vibe shattered when the lights went out, plunging the packed venue into darkness.
In the panic, the tightly packed crowd surged forward, leading to a stampede-like crush. Witnesses described heartbreaking scenes: people fainting from the heat and lack of air, parents clutching unconscious children, and volunteers battling to clear paths for ambulances amid blocked exits. The overcrowding made rescue efforts tough, but police under Karur Superintendent K. Josh Thangiah quickly stepped in to control the site and guide emergency vehicles.
Ambulances rushed the injured to Karur Government Medical College Hospital, where staff worked nonstop through the night. Officials called the scene a “war zone” as doctors treated victims non-stop. The death toll hit 31, and more than 40 people remain hospitalized, including three children in intensive care.
From Chennai, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin kept a close watch and ordered immediate relief and medical aid. Ministers Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and Ma Subramanian hurried to Karur to oversee rescues and hospital care, while Additional DGP Davidson Devasirvatham handled security and crowd control. Former Minister V. Senthil Balaji also visited the site to check on emergency setups.
The state government pledged full support to the victims’ families. Stalin plans to head to Karur on Sunday to meet the injured and assess relief efforts firsthand.
This Tamil Nadu stampede has sparked tough questions about crowd safety and management at big political rallies. So far, TVK hasn’t released an official statement on the Karur tragedy.
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