TVK Vijay Rally Stampede Highlights: Inquiry panel begins probe; CM Stalin says action based on report

The bodies of 38 people who died due to stampede at the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam's rally on September 27, have been identified and currently efforts were on to hand over their mortal remains to their relatives, Dindigul district collector S Saravanan has said on Sunday.

The identify of a woman was yet to be established, he said.

"Currently, work to identify this woman was on and once it's done, we would follow the due procedure of conducting a post-mortem and hand over the body to her relatives,” he said.

Of the deceased, 14 have been handed over to their relatives so far, Saravanan told reporters here.

Director of Medical Education, Dr Suganthi Rajakumari, said the condition of two people who were admitted continued to remain in critical and efforts were on to revive them.

To a question, she told reporters here that all government facilities had adequate supplies of oxygen and medicines and that the patients were being provided the best treatment.

“Totally, we received 39 bodies at the GH and post-mortem was performed on 31 persons. Two persons are in a critical condition,” Rajakumari said.

TN CM Stalin rushed from Chennai to Karur and interacted with doctors on the treatment being provided to the people injured in the stampede at actor Vijay's rally on Saturday, and comforted them and assured of best care.

Paying floral tributes to the dead, Stalin, spoke to the bereaved families.

The CM reached Karur from Chennai past midnight.

Authorities announced helpline numbers to reach the Karur district collect office helpdesk (04324 256306 and Whatsapp 7010806322).

Vijay was accorded welcome at one point and a big crowd followed him and he was ushered in safely to the venue by the police. "He also lauded the police...the crowd kept swelling," Tamil Nadu DGP G Venkataraman said.

While the organisers put the expected number at 10,000, about 27,000 people turned up to have a glimpse of the actor, Venkataraman said.

He indicated police protection was given anticipating about 20,000.

Asked if there were "only 500" police personnel on bandobast duty, he said the meeting venue was a public road and more police cover would have meant people would not have sufficient space.

Two days ago, the meeting of a "big party" was held here, he said in an apparent reference to the AIADMK.

Asked if there was any "security lapse" that led to the tragic incident, he pointed out that the government has announced a Commission of Inquiry to probe the cause.

The organisers were clearly told about crowd and related issues and the police is only "extra help," and there cannot be added police presence anticipating such a surge in crowd.

Presently ADGP (Law and Order), Davidson Airvatham, 3 Inspector General of Police, 2 DIGs, 10 SPs and 2000 police personnel have left for Karur, he said.

The toll from the stampede at actor Vijay's public rally in Karur has risen to 38, Tamil Nadu DGP G Venkataraman said in an early morning briefing today. The crowd swelled due to the delayed arrival of the actor-politician to the venue and they lacked sufficient food and water during the waiting hours under the hot sun, he told reporters.

"An unfortunate incident happened; a regrettable one. As per latest information, 38 have persons have died. They are 12 men, 16 women and 10 children," he said.

He further said there was a crowd surge after the official Twitter handle of Vijay's TVK party mentioned that he would arrive at the meeting venue by noon.

"Permission (for the meeting) was sought for between 3 pm-10 pm. The TVK Twitter account said he will come at noon and crowd started coming in from 11 am. He came at 7.40 pm. The people lacked sufficient food water under the hot sun." "Our intention is not to blame anyone, but we are just stating the facts," the Head of Police Force added.

Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay posted on X," My heart is shattered; I am writhing in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow that words cannot express. I extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of my dear brothers and sisters who lost their lives in Karur. I pray for the swift recovery of those receiving treatment in the hospital."

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin visited families of victims killed in TVK chief Vijay’s rally on Saturday. “The tears shed by the families of those who lost their lives throughout the night, and the pain caused by their grief-filled cries, have not left my heart,” he posted on X.

At least 35 persons, including 16 women and six children, were killed and dozens of others seriously injured following a stampede-like situation in actor-politician Vijay’s heavily crowded rally at Tamil Nadu’s Karur. Initial reports suggested that several people were hospitalised after fainting.

Read full report on what happened at the Karur rally here

Photos by ANI and PTI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the Governor and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and assured all possible help from the Centre, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs said in Saturday, moments after he stampede at actor Vijay's rally in Karur.

Actor Rajinikanth reacted to the stampede deaths at Vijay's rally and said, "The news of the loss of innocent lives in the incident that occurred in Karur shakes the heart and causes immense grief. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Comfort to those who were injured."

President of India Droupadi Murmu took to X and said, "Anguished to know about the tragic loss of lives in a stampede-like unfortunate incident in Karur district of Tamil Nadu. I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for early recovery of those injured."

According to latest information, the Union Home Ministry has sought a report from Tamil Nadu government on the stampede in Karur, PTI said quoting sources.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took to X on Saturday and wrote, "Deeply anguished by the tragic accident at a rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu. The loss of innocent lives is truly heartbreaking. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of those who are injured."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday expressed "deep pain" over the loss of lives in a stampede in Tamil Nadu.

At least 10 people, including children, were feared dead in a stampede-like situation in actor-politician Vijay's heavily crowded rally at Karur in Tamil Nadu.

"Deeply pained by the tragic loss of lives in a stampede in Karur, Tamil Nadu. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. I pray to the Almighty to give them the strength to bear this grief and for the speedy recovery of the injured," Shah wrote on X. — PTI

Tamil Nadu Assembly Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami said, "I urge the Tamil Nadu government to immediately take necessary measures to ensure proper treatment for those admitted to the hospital and to provide appropriate compensation to the families of the deceased."

Tamil Nadu Assembly Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami said he has instructed AIADMK volunteers to form a human chain in the hospital area in view of the heavy crowd. AIADMK volunteers are coordinating to provide appropriate assistance to those receiving treatment, he added.

Tamil Nadu Assembly Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami took to X and said, "The news that more than 29 people lost their lives and several others fainted and are receiving treatment in the hospital due to the crowd chaos during the campaign meeting of the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam party held in Karur, where its leader Vijay spoke, is both shocking and distressing.I express my deepest condolences and regret to the families of those who lost their lives."

Many who fainted were waiting for hours together to see Vijay, and it included children, the PTI reported.

Vijay himself requested a way for the ambulance and he threw water bottles from atop his campaign vehicle and also announced that a child had gone missing. He also urged police to come forward to help.

While those who fainted were rushed to hospitals, Vijay continued his speech. However, he ended it soon and abruptly sensing the abnormal stampede-like situation at a section of the pretty huge gathering. — PTI

According to a PTI video, Vijay paused mid-way during his speech to provide water to those feeling suffocated at the rally.

The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Wishing strength to them in this difficult time. Praying for a swift recovery to all those injured.