New Delhi: At least 39 people – including 17 women and 10 children – were killed in a stampede at a campaign rally for Tamil actor-turned-politician Vijay in Tamil Nadu’s Karur on Saturday (September 27). Several others who were injured in the event were undergoing treatment.According to eyewitnesses, the stampede took place just after Vijay began his speech in Karur, with the entire event unfolding within 10 minutes. More than a dozen people who sat on a tree branch collapsed on a crowd, which further worsened the situation by causing panic, reported Indian Express.“There were strict instructions not to follow his vehicle from one place to another, as Karur already had an overwhelming crowd. The people there were waiting for him from the morning, even though he arrived late at around 7 pm. When the huge crowd followed his vehicle also joined the Karur crowd, it went beyond all control. There was an absolute lack of management,” a source, who is closely associated with Vijay’s outstation campaigns told the newspaper.Following the stampede, an official inquiry has been ordered. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had reached Karur after the tragedy and announced Rs. 10 lakh as compensation after meeting the bereaved families.On questions about whether Vijay would be arrested, Stalin had said that any action will be taken after the finding of the one-member Aruna Jagadeesan Committee that was appointed within hours of the stampede.According to another Indian Express report, Vijay had continued speaking, unaware of the scale of the unfolding disaster, even as ambulances forced their way through.Soon, Vijay had left the stage and travelled back to Chennai. According to sources, he was briefed about the deaths when he stopped in Trichy en route to catch a flight.Ever since the incident, Vijay has not spoken with the media.According to Tamil Nadu DGP G. Venkataraman Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) had sought permission for the event in Karur, saying they expected 10,000 people, and considering their past rallies, around 500 police personnel were deployed.While the TVK had said that Vijay would arrive by noon, he had reached the venue only around 7:10 pm, said the Indian Express report.