A stampede-like situation occurred during a campaign rally in Karur for actor-turned-politician Vijay, resulting in at least 10 fatalities and around 30 injuries. Chief Minister M. K. Stalin has instructed the Karur District Collector to reach the scene promptly and facilitate medical support, including assistance from nearby districts. The Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), Davidson Devasirvatham, has also been dispatched to the area.
The Chief Minister further directed the health minister and the school education minister to proceed to Karur without delay. All available doctors at the Karur Government Hospital have been called to report for duty at the Accident and Emergency Care Initiative ward. According to hospital reports, the death toll could increase.
The rally, organized by the TVK party, attracted a massive crowd, with Vijay’s campaign vehicle moving slowly through thousands of supporters. At one point, he paused his speech as several party workers fainted in the densely packed gathering, prompting two ambulances to arrive and assist them. As tensions escalated, Vijay distributed water bottles to his supporters and appealed to the police for assistance after a child was reported missing in the crowd.
Once order was restored, Vijay resumed his speech, criticizing the ruling DMK party for allegedly failing to fulfill its promise of establishing an airport in Karur. He reminded the audience that the government had made this commitment in 2021, only to later shift responsibility to the Central government. Vijay also indirectly criticized former DMK minister Senthil Balaji, suggesting that the district gained notoriety for negative reasons under his tenure.
