Daijiworld Media Network – Karur

Karur, Sep 28: A massive stampede claimed 38 lives, including eight children, and left 46 injured during actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) President Vijay’s rally in Karur on Saturday evening. Nearly 30,000 supporters had gathered to catch a glimpse of the popular actor-turned-politician.

Videos from the scene show people packed tightly near Vijay’s custom-built campaign bus, struggling in the sweltering heat. Spotting distress in the crowd, Vijay halted his speech, grabbed bottles of water, and tossed them to the suffocating crowd. Others on the bus joined in, while ambulances attempted to make their way through the dense gathering.

Officials said Vijay was scheduled to arrive around noon but reached only after 6 pm, by which time the crowd had swelled and space on the road had disappeared. The DMK accused the TVK chief of deliberately delaying his arrival to gain dramatic visuals of a massive turnout as he positions himself as an alternative to the DMK and AIADMK ahead of next year’s Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin expressed grief, noting that at least eight children and 16 women were among the dead. He announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the families of the deceased and assured the best medical care for the injured.

“The loss of these precious lives has shaken our hearts. I will travel to Karur tonight to meet the families and those receiving treatment,” Stalin said, adding that a one-member commission of inquiry headed by retired High Court Justice Aruna Jagadeesan will investigate the tragedy.