At the very least 36 individuals have died, together with youngsters, in a crush at a political rally within the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, state officers say.
Tens of hundreds of individuals had gathered on Saturday at a marketing campaign occasion for actor-turned-politician Vijay, within the southern Karur district.
It was delayed by a number of hours, native media reported. Photographs broadcast on tv confirmed individuals fainting within the packed crowds.
Politician Senthil Balaji spoke to reporters exterior a neighborhood hospital to verify the deaths, and added that greater than 50 different individuals had been injured.
The demise toll contains at the very least 16 girls, 9 males and 6 youngsters, state well being minister Ma Subramanian informed native media.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin stated some individuals have been taken to hospital after fainting within the crush. Additional help has been requested from docs working in close by districts, he added.
Compensation of 1 million rupees ($11,300; £8,400) will likely be supplied to the households of the deceased, Stalin added, and there will likely be an inquiry into the incident.
One man whose members of the family have been on the occasion spoke to Indian information company ANI from exterior a hospital.
“My brother’s two youngsters have been there. Two boys. The elder one handed away, the youthful one is lacking. My kinfolk, my sister-in-law, is within the ICU. What ought to I do?” he stated.
In an internet assertion, Vijay stated his coronary heart was “damaged” and he was in “insufferable, indescribable ache and sorrow.”
He despatched his “deepest sympathies and condolences” to the households of those that died, and prayers for a “speedy restoration” to these in hospital.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated the incident was “unlucky” and “deeply saddening”, in a submit on X.
Lethal crushes usually are not unusual in India, and there have been a number of equally tragic incidents this 12 months alone, together with on the famous Kumbh Mela Hindu festival and outside a cricket stadium.
