Karur (Tamil Nadu): The death toll in the Karur stampede climbed to 40 on Sunday after another injured person succumbed at the government hospital, officials said.
Tamil Nadu Health Secretary P. Senthil Kumar, who visited the injured, confirmed that 39 people had died earlier, including 17 women, 13 men, and nine children.
Post-mortem examinations were completed for 30 of the victims, and their bodies were handed over to families.
He said 67 people remain admitted as in-patients, with two reported to be in critical condition.
Another 26 were treated at the outpatient department and discharged. One of the injured was shifted to Madurai Government Hospital for advanced care.
Meanwhile, actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhaga (TVK) approached the Madras High Court Bench in Madurai, demanding an independent probe into the tragedy.
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TVK deputy general secretary Nirmal Kumar told reporters the plea was accepted, and the case would be heard on Monday afternoon.
While avoiding direct allegations, he said the party wanted an impartial inquiry into the incident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ex-gratia assistance of RS. 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the families of the deceased, and Rs. 50,000 for those injured.
He expressed condolences over the loss of lives in a post on social media platform X.
