TVK's Karur roadshow stampede HIGHLIGHTS: Death toll rises to 40, those injured stable; case registered and probe underway

Vijay holds meeting with TVK officials

TVK chief Vijay held discussions with party officials following the Karur stampede that claimed 39 lives. According to a Thanthi TV report, Vijay met with TVK officials to assess if he could travel to Karur on Sunday (Today) and is reportedly considering temporarily postponing his campaign tour.

Vijay's late arrival led to Karur tragedy, DyCM Udhayanidhi Stalin

Speaking to the media in Karur, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin slammed Vijay for his late arrival at the scheduled campaign meeting. He also alleged that it is the duty of TVK officials to control the crowd and that the responsibility lies with them. “The government will take necessary measures to ensure that such incidents do not happen again,” he added.

Premalatha Vijayakanth blames poor security for Karur stampede, extends condolences

Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) general secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth on Sunday described the tragic stampede at Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay’s rally in Karur as “a deeply distressing and unfortunate incident” and urged that such mishaps should never recur. 

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Newly engaged couple among Karur stampede victims

A newly engaged couple, soon to be married, were among the 39 victims who lost their lives in the Karur stampede. According to Thanthi TV report, the victims have been identified as Akash and Gokul Shri

DyCM Udhayanidhi Stalin pays homage to stampede victims

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi, who returned to Tamil Nadu after cancelling his Dubai trip, visited the Karur Government Hospital. He also met with the families of the deceased and offered his condolences.

Lack of security at AIADMK meeting as well, alleges EPS

AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami slammed the state government for lapses in providing adequate security during the political meeting in Karur. He further alleged that the AIADMK meeting in Karur on Thursday (September 25) also suffered from inadequate security.

EPS arrives in Karur

AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami arrived in Karur and consoled the families of the deceased

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Law and Order, S Davidson Devasirvatham told reporters that a case has been registered and an investigation into the incident is underway.

State police chief (in-charge) DGP G Venkataraman had rushed to the spot to oversee the efforts. In a late-night press conference, he said crowds began swelling from 11 am itself. "In their permission letter, they (TVK) had said they expected a crowd of about 10,000. There were tweets from the party handle that Vijay was expected to arrive by 12, so crowds began to gather. He reached at 7.40 pm. I am not blaming anyone, but the facts are that there were limited facilities for water and other necessities," Venkataraman said at the police headquarters. He added that the location allocated for Vijay’s speech is a pre-determined spot used by all political parties.

Death toll 39, injured people stable now

Tamil Nadu Health Secretary P Senthil Kumar said that out of the total deceased, 28 were from Karur, 2 each from Erode, Tiruppur, and Dindigul, and 1 from Salem, while 4 are yet to be identified. 

Speaking to reporters, he said that out of 95 injured people, all are stable except one. He said, "A total of 95 people have been admitted to the hospital. 51 are admitted to the Government Medical College and Hospital. Except for one, the others are stable. Specialised doctors are looking after them. The remaining 44 are admitted to the private hospitals. 39 people have lost their lives."