Overcrowding, heat stress, and three-hour delay caused Karur stampede, says ADGP

THE stampede during TVK's election campaign in Karur on Saturday which claimed 40 lives was triggered by overcrowding, heat stress and a sudden surge of people eager to see actor-politician Vjiay, who was delayed in arriving at the venue by over three hours, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) S Davidson Devasirvatham told media persons on Sunday.

- PEARSON LENEKAR SR @ Karur

Briefing media persons at the district collectorate, the ADGP said the Lighthouse roundabout in Karur was the first preference for a venue for the campaign organisers. As it was already considered a 'high-risk spot' due to its layout, permission was not given.

"There is a petrol pump on one side and the Amaravathi river with a bridge on the other. It is a dense and difficult location to manage a crowd," the official said, adding that the organisers had rejected suggestions to shift the meeting to an alternative, approved space.