At least 40 people have died in a crush at a Vijay’s TVK Rally in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Tens of thousands gathered on Saturday for a campaign event featuring actor and politician Vijay in the Karur district. Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin reported that the victims included nine children, at least 17 women, and 13 men. Also, 51 people are receiving treatment in the hospital.
Case registered against three members in Vijay’s TVK Rally
Police have filed a case against three senior members of Vijay’s TVK party. The potential charges relate to homicide and careless conduct. “TVK originally sought permission for a gathering of 10,000 people, but the actual crowd was more than double,” said senior police official V Selvaraj.
Vijay was speaking at the rally in Karur district when the crowd surged suddenly, force him to stop his speech. Local media reported that the event was delayed by several hours. Television images showed people fainting in the packed crowd.
40 dead in Rally
CM Stalin said that families of the deceased receive compensation of one million rupees ($11,300; £8,400). One man told the Indian news agency from outside a hospital that his brother’s two sons attended the event. “The elder one passed away, and the younger one is missing. My relatives, my sister-in-law, are in the ICU. What should I do?” he said.
Vijay expressed his sorrow in an online statement, stating his heart was “broken” and that he felt “unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow.” He extended his “deepest sympathies and condolences” to the families of the deceased, along with prayers for a “fast recovery” for those in the hospital.
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