Stampede Tragedy Strikes Political Rally in India: At least 32 Dead, Including Children

A political rally hosted by actor turned politician Vijay's party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), in Karur, Tamil Nadu, India turned into a scene of devastating tragedy on Saturday evening when a stampede like crush resulted in the deaths of at least 36 people, with dozens more injured. The confirmed fatalities include several women and children, according to Health Minister Ma Subramanian. The incident, which occurred at the Velusamipuram venue on the Karur Erode highway, has raised serious questions about crowd control and safety protocols at major political gatherings.

The rally, part of the TVK chief’s campaign tour, drew an enormous crowd, reportedly swelling far beyond the estimated and permitted capacity. Eyewitnesses and initial reports suggest the chaos erupted after a combination of factors, including a crowd surge towards the stage and a sudden power outage which plunged the packed venue into darkness, leading to panic. In the ensuing crush, people were knocked down and trampled. Some reports indicated the sudden movement was also triggered by the search for a missing nine year old child.

Ambulances struggled to reach the injured through the densely packed area, complicating urgent rescue efforts. Actor Vijay, known to his fans as 'Thalapathy,' was addressing the crowd when the situation spiraled out of control and had to halt his speech abruptly, appealing to the police for immediate assistance.

The Tamil Nadu government has reacted swiftly, announcing an ex-gratia amount of Rs 1 million to the families of the deceased and establishing a Commission of Inquiry, spearheaded by retired High Court Judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, to probe the incident. Chief Minister M. K. Stalin expressed deep concern, dispatched senior ministers to Karur to oversee relief efforts, and is scheduled to visit the site to assess the situation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other political leaders also offered their condolences. The injured, reported to be over 40, have been rushed to the Government Medical College and Hospital in Karur for treatment, with several in critical condition. The tragic loss of life at the political event has cast a pall over the state and prompted a nationwide conversation on security and organization at mass public gatherings.

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