At least 36 individuals, including children, have died following a crush at a political rally in Tamil Nadu, India, according to state officials. The event took place on Saturday in the Karur district, where tens of thousands had gathered to support actor-turned-politician Vijay. Reports indicated that the rally started with a several-hour delay, leading to panic among the crowded attendees, as some were seen fainting on television broadcasts.
Politician Senthil Balaji confirmed the fatalities to reporters outside a local hospital, stating that over 50 people sustained injuries in the incident. The deceased include 16 women, nine men, and six children, as outlined by state health minister Ma Subramanian.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin mentioned that medical assistance had been summoned from nearby districts to help with the situation, as some individuals were treated for fainting. He also announced that families of the deceased would receive compensation of one million rupees (approximately $11,300 or £8,400), and has called for an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the crush.
In response to the tragedy, Vijay expressed profound sorrow in an online statement, extending his condolences to the families affected and wishing a swift recovery for those hospitalized. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi labeled the incident “unfortunate” and “deeply saddening” in a post on social media.
Crushes at large gatherings are unfortunately not uncommon in India, with several tragic incidents reported earlier this year, including events at the Kumbh Mela Hindu festival and outside a cricket stadium. This raises questions about crowd management and safety measures at such high-attendance events.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c98dqyj5dpjo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss