Forty-three people die in TN aid stampede

NDTV: "Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has announced an investigation as 43 people died in a stampede at a centre for flood aid.

Official sources said the government will offer compensation of Rs one lakh to the families of those who died and Rs 15,000 for the injured.

The stampede took place when a crowd of 4000 people in Chennai moved to seek cover when there was a burst of rain, police said.

Local residents said, people started gathering in front of the aid center in a state-run school in MGR Nagar from 3.00 am.

An eyewitness added, "we were all suddenly pushed inside and it all happened".

At least 50 people are receiving treatment for injuries.

The government has been distributing aid to people affected by recent monsoon rains in the region.

A retired Madras High Court judge will head the investigation, said Jayalalithaa who visited the mortuary at the General Hospital where the victims were taken. Aid coupons were issued to the people the previous day. The package includes Rs 2000, 10 kilograms of rice, a sari and a dhoti for each person.

"The collector had announced that distribution would take place only at 9 am. I fail to understand why so many people gathered so early," said Jayalalithaa.

The main opposition party in the state blamed the stampede on administrative failure.

"We have been telling the government to go to people's doorsteps to hand over relief to prevent such incidents," said Arcot Veerasamy of the DMK.

Elections are due in April and the incident has triggered a blame game. But Jayalalithaa's flood management efforts in the past two months had received broad applause in the state."