Karur stampede: Anatomy of the tragedy at Vijay’s TVK rally in Tamil Nadu

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The size of the crowd doubled at the meeting spot as the people, who accompanied TVK president Vijay’s vehicle, also joined those who were already waiting there. | Photo Credit: M Moorthy

A combination of factors, mainly poor planning and insufficient security, led to the stampede that claimed 39 lives and injured more than 80 others at the TVK rally in Karur. Most of the adult victims were between 18 and 30 years of age.

It is learnt that TVK functionaries presented a list of four spots, including the Bus Stand roundabout and Light House in Karur, for the TVK meeting. Since all four places were thickly populated business areas, the police refused permission. Instead, the police granted permission for the meeting at Velusamypuram on Karur-Erode Road, where AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami held a rally on Thursday (September 25, 2025).

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