Soon Vijay had to stop his address and urge his supporters to make way for the emergency ambulances to reach the people in need. DMK minister Senthil Balaji and the district collector visited the hospital to assess the situation
Following the stampede, the actor was forced to stop his speech. Many people fainted due to severe overcrowding, which eventually led to the stampede. — PTI
Karur: At least 39 persons including six children and 16 women were killed in a crowd congestion of the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) founder Vijay's meeting held at Velusamy Puram on the Karur-Erode highway in Karur on Saturday.
Official sources said more than 40 people were hospitalised at Government Medical College Hospital, Karur. The condition of 12 of them is said to be critical. Unofficial sources said a number of children were found missing and a search is on for them.
Several of the injured who were brought to hospital were gasping for breath and the doctors and health department staff were busy attending them. The authorities have summoned doctors of other government hospitals in and around Karur to the medical college hospital.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin condoled the deaths and announced a solatium of Rs 10 lakh each to the kin of deceased. The Chief Minister also ordered a judicial investigation into the incident. Justice (Rtd) Aruna Jagadeesan, a former judge of the Madras high court, will conduct the probe.
Eyewitnesses said that a stampede started even as Vijay was addressing the jostling crowd atop his campaign vehicle. He halted his speech mid-way when many workers raised alarm after noticing that people were fainting and falling down. Many who fainted were waiting for hours together to see Vijay, and it included children. Vjay was scheduled to arrive at the campaign spot at 12 pm but he reached seven hours later.
A number of persons who escaped unhurt blamed the organisers for selecting a very small place for organising the meeting, leading to the mishap.
Vijay himself requested a way for the ambulance and he threw water bottles from atop his campaign vehicle and also announced that a child had gone missing. He also urged police to come forward to help.
While those who fainted were rushed to hospitals, Vijay continued his speech. However, he ended it soon after sensing an abnormal situation at a section of the pretty huge gathering.
Karur collector M. Thangavelu, inspector-general of police Tiruchy Nirmal Kumar, superintendent of police (Karur) Joshi Thangaiah and former ministers Senthil Balaji and M.R. Vijayabaskar are camping in Karur the hospital lead the relief efforts.
The relatives were seen rolling down on the floor crying when the bodies of the victims were taken to the post-mortem room.
Several of the injured who were brought to hospital were gasping for breath and the doctors and health department staff were busy attending them. The authorities have summoned doctors of other government hospitals in and around Karur to the medical college hospital.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin condoled the deaths and announced a solatium of Rs 10 lakh each to the kin of deceased. The Chief Minister also ordered a judicial investigation into the incident. Justice (Rtd) Aruna Jagadeesan, a former judge of the Madras high court, will conduct the probe.
Eyewitnesses said that a stampede started even as Vijay was addressing the jostling crowd atop his campaign vehicle. He halted his speech mid-way when many workers raised alarm after noticing that people were fainting and falling down. Many who fainted were waiting for hours together to see Vijay, and it included children. Vjay was scheduled to arrive at the campaign spot at 12 pm but he reached seven hours later.
A number of persons who escaped unhurt blamed the organisers for selecting a very small place for organising the meeting, leading to the mishap.
Vijay himself requested a way for the ambulance and he threw water bottles from atop his campaign vehicle and also announced that a child had gone missing. He also urged police to come forward to help.
While those who fainted were rushed to hospitals, Vijay continued his speech. However, he ended it soon after sensing an abnormal situation at a section of the pretty huge gathering.
Karur collector M. Thangavelu, inspector-general of police Tiruchy Nirmal Kumar, superintendent of police (Karur) Joshi Thangaiah and former ministers Senthil Balaji and M.R. Vijayabaskar are camping in Karur the hospital lead the relief efforts.
The relatives were seen rolling down on the floor crying when the bodies of the victims were taken to the post-mortem room.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle with agency inputs )
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