‘Deeply saddening…’: PM Modi condoles loss of lives in Vijay rally stampede in Tamil Nadu’s Karur

Vijay rally stampede: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed his condolences on the deaths of at least 31 people, including children at actor-politician Vijay’s campaign rally in Tamil Nadu’s Karur.

“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,” the Prime Minister wrote on X.

What happened at Vijay’s Karur rally?

At least 31 people, including children are feared dead in a stampede that occurred at actor-politician Vijay’s political rally in Tamil Nadu’s Karur on Saturday evening. According to media reports, a stampede occurred at a rally organized by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), a political outfit floated by Tamil superstar Vijay, in Karur, where thousands had gathered to catch a glimpse of the famous actor.

According to local media reports, more than 30,000 people had gathered at the rally venue where they awaited Vijay’s arrival. Fans and supporters of Vijay waited for over six hours for the the actor-politician to arrive, NDTV reported. Police fear the number of casualties is likely to go up as about 500 people have already been hospitalized while at least 400 more are being brought in, the report said.

Vijay rally stampede- How tragedy unfolded in Karur?

More than 30,000 people had gathered at the TVK rally in Tamil Nadu’s Karur and waited for over six hours before the party’s chief and famous actor Vijay arrived at the venue. The actor-politician addressed the overcrowded rally as the crowd began to swell, in hopes of catching a glimpse of the superstar.

However, tragedy unfolded when several people fainted due to overcrowding leading to a stampede-like situation, as Vijay abruptly ended his address after witnessing the commotion. TVK workers raised an alarm and along with Vijay threw water bottles at the crowd from the actor’s campaign bus as the situation worsened.

Ambulances arrived at the scene and took away scores of people  who fainted in the stampede to nearby hospitals. However, paramedics faced a hard time to reach the incident site due to heavily crowded streets, according to news agency PTI.

At least 31 people, including children, are feared dead in the stampede, while the ruling DMK has accused Vijay of “negligence” and called for his arrest.