Tamil Nadu: Toll in stampede at actor-politician Vijay’s rally rises to 39

The toll in the stampede that occurred during actor-politician Vijay’s rally in Tamil Nadu’s Karur district on Saturday has reached 39, ANI quoted Chief Minister MK Stalin as saying.

Among those who died are 16 women and eight children, according to The Indian Express. More than 150 persons were hospitalised in Karur and Tiruchirappalli after the stampede.

The stampede occurred shortly after 7.30 pm at Veluchamy Puram area, where Vijay, the chief of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, was speaking from atop his campaign vehicle.

Several of the persons attending the rally fainted due to overcrowding. Vijay’s speech was interrupted twice as ambulances were brought in to take those who collapsed.

Some of his supporters had also climbed a tree to get a better view, according to The Indian Express. One of the branches broke and the persons fell onto the crowd, leading to further chaos.

The Tamil Nadu government has formed a commission headed by retired judge Aruna Jagadeesan to investigate the circumstances that led to the stampede, The Hindu quoted Stalin as saying.

The chief minister has also announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the families of those who died in the stampede, and Rs 1 lakh for those who were injured.

Meanwhile, the Karur Police registered a first information report against Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s district secretary VP Mathiyazhaga.

He was booked under Bharatiya...

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