Karur Stampede At TVK Leader Vijay's Rally: PM Modi, Amit Shah, Stalin, Palaniswami Express Grief

A political gathering turned into a nightmare on Saturday when a massive stampede erupted during Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Chief Vijay's election rally in Karur. The chaos, triggered by overcrowding at the venue, left at least 31 people dead and dozens more battling for their lives in hospitals.

Witnesses described scenes of panic as the crowd surged uncontrollably, crushing those caught in the middle. Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian confirmed that over 10 victims were declared dead upon arrival at hospitals, with the final death toll still being verified.

CM Stalin Rushes to Action

Chief Minister MK Stalin immediately swung into action, dispatching senior ministers and top officials to Karur. Stalin himself reached the state secretariat late Saturday and announced plans to visit the site on Sunday.
In a post on X, he expressed deep concern over the tragedy and directed authorities to provide urgent medical aid. "Relief efforts must not be delayed even for a moment," he urged, appealing for public cooperation with doctors and police.

Condolences from Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident "deeply saddening," offering prayers for the victims and strength to the grieving families. "I wish the injured a speedy recovery," he said in a message on X.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah echoed the grief, calling the loss of lives "deeply paining" and urging strength for the bereaved families.

Political Shockwaves

The tragedy has sparked a political storm across Tamil Nadu.

AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami called the incident "shocking and distressing," noting that dozens had been hospitalized after the chaos.

Former Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan openly questioned the state's preparedness and criticized authorities for failing to prevent such a disaster, warning that casualty numbers could climb further.

Relief Efforts on War Footing

DMK district secretary Senthil Balaji rushed to hospitals to monitor relief measures, while Health Minister Subramanian personally supervised treatment of the injured. CM Stalin said he was coordinating closely with ministers and the Karur District Collector to ensure immediate care.

Amid grief and political outcry, Karur stands scarred by one of the most devastating tragedies to hit a Tamil Nadu political rally in recent years.