Chennai: Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay on Sunday announced financial assistance of ₹20 lakh each to the families of those who died and ₹2 lakh to those injured in the stampede at Karur during his party’s rally on Saturday. At least 39 people, including eight children, lost their lives in the tragedy.

Earlier on Saturday, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin announced an ex-gratia of ₹10 lakh to the families of the deceased and ₹1 lakh to those injured. Following the accident, Vijay has ended his state-wide campaign. 

The incident happened on Saturday evening when a sudden power outage plunged the rally venue into darkness while Vijay was addressing the crowd from his campaign vehicle. Panic ensued as thousands surged forward in the packed grounds. Officials said most deaths were due to trampling, suffocation, and dehydration, worsened by overcrowding and poor ventilation.

Expressing grief on X, Vijay wrote that the events in Karur had left him “overwhelmed with profound heaviness.” He described the tragedy as an “irreparable loss” and said words could not capture the pain of those who had lost loved ones.

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“As a member of your family, I intend to provide ₹20 lakh to each bereaved family and ₹2 lakh to those undergoing treatment. This amount is not significant in the face of such a loss, but it is my duty to stand with you in this moment of grief,” he said. Vijay also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and assured that TVK would extend all necessary support.

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