FM Nirmala Sitharaman visits Karur hospital, meets victims of stampede

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited the Government Medical College Hospital in Karur, Tamil Nadu, on Monday to meet survivors of the tragic stampede that occurred during actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) rally at Velayuthampalayam on September 27. The incident claimed 41 lives and left over 50 people injured.Sitharaman enquired about the well-being of the victims and interacted with doctors regarding the treatment being provided. She was accompanied by Union Ministers L. Murugan and Nainar Nagendran. The visit also included hospitals where she expressed condolences to the bereaved families.

Smt @nsitharaman visits the Government Medical College Hospital in Karur, Tamil Nadu, to meet those injured in the tragic stampede which took place on Saturday.

She enquired about their well-being and also interacted with doctors on the treatment being provided to the people.… pic.twitter.com/xRduzCeLtU

— Nirmala Sitharaman Office (@nsitharamanoffc) September 29, 2025

The tragedy occurred after a massive crowd surged forward at the end of Vijay’s address, creating panic and a deadly crush. Several victims were women and children, and doctors have stated that some of the injured remain in critical condition.Expressions of grief poured in from across the country. President Droupadi Murmu said she was “deeply pained” by the loss of lives and offered prayers for the families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish over the incident and sanctioned an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the PMNRF to the families of the victims and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who reached Karur soon after the incident, visited the hospital to meet the injured and their families. He announced Rs 10 lakh compensation for each bereaved family and promised full state support. Stalin also ordered a judicial probe led by retired High Court judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan to determine the cause of the tragedy and recommend safety measures for future events.Opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami of the AIADMK expressed condolences while holding the government accountable for failing to manage the massive turnout, urging stronger safety protocols at political gatherings.TVK president Vijay, visibly shaken by the disaster, described it as an “irreparable loss.” He announced Rs 20 lakh compensation for each bereaved family and Rs 2 lakh for the injured, appealing for calm and solidarity among his supporters.Meanwhile, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court will hear later today(Monday), a case filed by TVK in the stampede. The Tamil Nadu government has appointed Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Premanandan as the new investigating officer to lead the probe into the stampede that occurred during the TVK president's rally,according to information.