33 feared dead following stampede in overcrowded TVK rally

Karur (Tamil Nadu) | Stampede-like situation was witnessed and many persons, including a few children, fainted and feared dead on Saturday while they were at a rally presided by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief, actor-politician Vijay.

Initial reports put the death toll at 33.

The crowd swelled and became uncontrollable even as Vijay was addressing the gathering and a number of persons including party workers and a few children fainted and fell down.

Several workers noticed the situation and raised an alarm and Vijay took note and halted his speech and threw water bottles from atop the custom-built campaign bus. Ambulances had a tough time negotiating the heavily crowded thoroughfare to reach the spot.

The fainted persons were rushed to nearby hospitals in ambulances and a some of them are reportedly battling for their lives. Vijay, who understood the situation ended his speech ahead of the scheduled time.