A large turnout at the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) leader and actor Vijay's campaign rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur, on Saturday, turned into a devastating tragedy after a sudden crowd surge and chaos claimed at least 31 lives and left dozens injured, many of them critical.

State Health Minister Ma Subramanian said that the deceased victims include 16 women, nine men and six children.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will visit Karur on Sunday to meet the injured victims and review the relief efforts.

The rally at Velusamipuram began around 7:20 p.m. and initially drew a celebratory atmosphere, with thousands gathering to hear Vijay speak.

But panic erupted when a sudden power outage plunged the venue into near darkness.

The tightly packed crowd swayed and surged forward, triggering a stampe

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