TVK rally tragedy: Stampede-like situation at Vijay's Karur rally; at least 10 dead & 30 injured

A stampede like situation occurred at actor-turned-politician Vijay’s campaign rally in Karur where at least 10 people died and other 30 were left injured.

Chief minister M K Stalin instructed the Karur District Collector to reach the spot immediately and arrange medical support, including help from neighbouring districts. The Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Davidson Devasirvatham has also been asked to rush to the scene. The CM further directed the health minister and the school education minister to proceed to Karur without delay.

Meanwhile, all available doctors in Karur GH have also been asked to report for duty at Accident and Emergency Care Initiative ward of Karur govt hospital.

The TVK chief’s rally drew a massive crowd, with his campaign vehicle moving slowly through thousands of supporters. Vijay was forced to pause his speech for a while after several party workers fainted in the packed gathering, prompting two ambulances to rush in and take them away.

As the situation grew tense in the overcrowded gathering, Vijay personally offered water bottles to his supporters. “Police please help,” he said, after a child was reported missing in the crowd.

Once calm was restored, the actor-politician resumed his speech and attacked the ruling DMK, accusing it of going back on its word over setting up an airport in Karur. He reminded the crowd that the government had promised an airport in 2021, but had now shifted the responsibility to the Centre.

The TVK chief took a swipe at the DMK during the rally, saying the district had become "all India famous" because of a former minister.

Without naming him directly, Vijay hinted at DMK’s Senthil Balaji, claiming the former minister had given the district the wrong kind of reputation.