Dozens dead in crush at Tamil Nadu political rally in India
At least 36 people killed, including children, as crowds surge at campaign event for actor-turned-politician Vijay in Karur district; more than 50 injured; government pledges compensation and inquiry
A crowd crush at a political rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur district on Saturday left at least 36 people dead and more than 50 others injured, state officials said. Tens of thousands had gathered for a campaign event for actor-turned-politician Vijay, and the program had been delayed by several hours before proceeding. Television footage showed people collapsing in the packed arena as the crowd pressed toward the stage, underscoring the scale of the crush.
Health officials provided details on the casualties, noting that the death toll included at least 16 women, nine men and six children. Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian told local media that some victims were taken to nearby hospitals after suffering fainting fits, and Chief Minister MK Stalin said authorities had requested extra medical support from doctors in neighboring districts to handle the surge of patients. In his remarks, Stalin said the incident would be investigated and that relief measures would be provided as the situation stabilized.
The government announced compensation of one million rupees (about $11,300 or £8,400) to the families of the deceased, and officials stressed that a formal inquiry would examine crowd-control measures, safety protocols, and what caused the fatal crush to occur during a high-profile political event. Vijay, the campaign’s focal figure, issued a brief online statement offering deepest sympathies to the families of the deceased and prayers for the injured, while extending wishes for a speedy recovery to those in hospital.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also commented on the incident, calling it unfortunate and deeply saddening in a post on X. While there was no official attribution of blame in his remarks, the episode has renewed scrutiny of crowd-management practices at large political rallies across the country.
Crushes at large public gatherings are not unprecedented in India. Earlier this year, similar deadly incidents occurred at the Kumbh Mela festival and at venues surrounding major cricket matches, prompting officials to reiterate calls for improved crowd-control planning, safer ingress and egress routes, and clearer emergency response protocols at mass gatherings. The Tamil Nadu government said it would probe the incident thoroughly and publish findings to guide future safety measures and accountability.