Chennai: In all, 43 DMK cadres who either after receiving the news of the death of DMK leader M. Karunanidhi or after watching his final journey on TV died of shock on Wednesday.
Of the 43, 42 died of a heart attack while, Murugan, 39, from Vellore district committed suicide after hearing the news. The total number of people who died at the stampede at the funeral at Rajaji hall increased to 5.
Though a separate route was alloted for the public to come and pay respect to MK, yet, in heightened emotional state some tried to jump over the barricades and go closer to their beloved leader.
In the chaos which ensued, 26 were injured. Ambulances were brought to the spot and rushed to Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital immediately.
Two people died on the way to the hospital as they sustained injuries. Two others died even as doctors begin to treat them.
The 22 who sustained minor injuries returned home on Thursday. Jagdish Karthik, while returning home after paying respects to the leader fainted but could not be revived.
