Vijay connects with Karur stampede victims' families via video call
What's the story
Actor-turned-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay spoke to the families of those who died in a stampede during his rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur on Tuesday. According to NDTV, the Tamil superstar connected with the bereaved on a video call and assured them he'll be visiting them soon. The incident claimed 41 lives and injured at least 60 people. Eyewitnesses reported that a power outage, sudden crowd surge, and narrow space contributed to the tragic event.
Rally details
Delay in arrival sparked crowd surge
Vijay was scheduled to arrive at the rally venue by 12:00pm but reached around 7:00pm. His late arrival reportedly caused a surge in the crowd as people climbed trees, roofs, and power lines to catch a glimpse of him. In response, authorities had to cut electrical lines to prevent electrocution incidents. When Vijay finally arrived, people started pushing each other and threw slippers at his campaign bus for attention.
Crowd control measures
Police resorted to lathi charge
As the situation escalated, police were forced to use a lathi charge to disperse the crowd. The stampede occurred during Vijay's address when the restless audience surged toward the stage, breaking through barricades. Eyewitnesses reported that several party workers collapsed from suffocation and exhaustion during this chaotic scene.
Rescue operations
Emergency response was hampered
The stampede made it difficult for emergency responders to reach the injured, as ambulances struggled to navigate through the packed grounds. Many of those who fainted were taken to nearby hospitals, where they were later declared dead. The rally was initially permitted for around 10,000 people but reportedly saw a turnout of over 30,000 despite organizers' assurances of a smaller gathering.