TN stampede: Death toll rises to 31; CM Stalin to visit Karur tomorrow  

TN stampede: Death toll rises to 31; CM Stalin to visit Karur tomorrow  

Karur: A large turnout at the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) leader and actor Vijay’s campaign rally in Tamil Nadu’s Karur, on Saturday, turned into a devastating tragedy after a sudden crowd surge and chaos claimed at least 31 lives and left dozens injured, many of them critical.

State Health Minister Ma Subramanian said that the deceased victims include 16 women, nine men and six children.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will visit Karur on Sunday to meet the injured victims and review the relief efforts.

The rally at Velusamipuram began around 7:20 p.m. and initially drew a celebratory atmosphere, with thousands gathering to hear Vijay speak.

But panic erupted when a sudden power outage plunged the venue into near darkness.

The tightly packed crowd swayed and surged forward, triggering a stampede-like situation.

Before the stampede incident, Vijay had been addressing local grievances, including illegal sand mining, mineral theft, and other issues affecting Karur.

He criticised the state government sharply and predicted a change of power within the next six months.

But the festive mood quickly turned into chaos as people struggled to move out of the packed ground in darkness.

Witnesses said the overcrowding and lack of ventilation caused many people, including children and elderly women, to faint.

Parents were seen desperately carrying unconscious children through the crowd while volunteers tried to create space for ambulances and the police.

Rescue efforts faced difficulty because of blocked exits and the sheer number of people.

Police, led by the Karur Superintendent of Police, K. Josh Thangiah, worked to stabilise the site of incident and open routes for emergency vehicles.

Ambulances lined up at the venue and transported the injured to the Karur Government Medical College Hospital.

Officials confirmed that the death toll climbed to 31 by now, and more than 40 people remain hospitalised.

Doctors said several people are in critical condition, including three children, who have been admitted to the intensive care unit.

Chief Minister Stalin, who has been closely monitoring the situation from Chennai, directed swift relief and medical assistance.

Acting on his orders, Ministers Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and Ma Subramanian rushed to Karur to oversee rescue and hospital care.

Additional DGP (law and Order), Davidson Devasirvatham, was also deployed to coordinate security and crowd control.

The Karur Government Hospital has been working through the night, described by officials as resembling a “war zone”, with doctors and paramedics treating the injured continuously.

Former Minister V. Senthil Balaji visited the injured and assessed emergency facilities.

The state government has promised full support to the victims’ families.

CM Stalin is scheduled to visit Karur on Sunday to personally meet those affected and review the response to the tragedy.

Questions are now being raised about the safety measures and crowd management at large political gatherings.

TVK has yet to issue an official statement.

23 dead, several injured in stampede at Vijay’s rally in TN’s Karur

Chennai: A large turnout at a political campaign rally in Tamil Nadu’s Karur on Saturday turned tragic after a sudden crowd surge and chaos left at least 23 people dead and several injured, including children and elderly people attendees.

Several remain in critical condition, while emergency teams and senior state officials rushed to the spot through the night.

The rally, organised by Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) leader and actor Vijay, took place at Velusamipuram and began around 7:20 p.m.

Witnesses said that panic broke out when a sudden power outage plunged the venue into near darkness.

Thousands of people, who had gathered to hear Vijay speak, were caught in a crush as the crowd swayed and pushed forward.

Before the incident, Vijay had been addressing local grievances, including illegal sand mining, mineral theft, and other civic issues, affecting Karur.

He criticised the DMK government and predicted a change of power within next six months.

But as the lights went out, the tightly packed gathering lost control, triggering a stampede-like situation.

According to officials, poor ventilation and overcrowding worsened the situation.

Parents and volunteers were seen carrying unconscious children out of the venue, while others tried to create space for ambulances and police vehicles.

Ambulances lined the area to transport the victims, but rescue efforts were slowed by the massive crowd and blocked exits.

Police, led by the Karur Superintendent of Police, moved in to stabilise the spot and open routes for emergency services.

At least 23 deaths have been confirmed, while more than 30 people — including six children — were taken to the Karur Government Medical College Hospital.

Doctors said three of the children remain in the intensive care unit (ICU) and several others are battling critical injuries.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, monitoring the situation, ordered immediate emergency response.

Acting on his directions, Ministers Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and Ma Subramanian rushed to Karur to oversee rescue, medical care, and crowd control measures.

Additional Director General of Police (law and order), Davidson Devasirvatham, also visited the Karur district to assist the police and ensure safety.

The Karur Government Hospital resembled a war zone as medical teams worked through the night to treat the injured.

Former Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthil Balaji visited the patients and reviewed emergency care arrangements.

Power supply was restored later, and the crowd dispersed, but questions are being raised over the adequacy of safety and crowd management at such high-profile political events.

The TVK has yet to issue an official statement on the tragedy.