Stampede at Tamil Nadu rally for actor Vijay kills 36, injures 40
Health officials say most victims died at the scene; investigation ordered after crowd surge at campaign event in Karur district
A stampede at a political rally for Tamil actor-turned-politician Vijay in Tamil Nadu’s Karur district killed 36 people and injured 40 others, health officials said late Saturday. The victims were pronounced dead before reaching hospitals, and eight of the dead were children, the state health minister said. Officials described tens of thousands of people as having gathered for the rally, where extreme heat and crowds on a campaign day contributed to the chaotic scene as the night wore on.
The disaster unfolded as Vijay spoke from atop his campaign vehicle in the district’s bustling, sun-soaked crowd. Witnesses and officials said a surge of supporters and fans pressed toward the bus, causing people to fall and be trampled as they tried to get close to the vehicle. Local health authorities said many of the injured were stabilized at nearby hospitals, while others were transported by ambulances. Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian told The Associated Press that there was indiscipline at the rally and that an investigation had been ordered to determine what went wrong.
Officials quoted by the Press Trust of India said that at least 30 people fainted while Vijay addressed the crowd, and they were rushed to area hospitals. Reported accounts said that when the fainting and falling began, workers nearby raised alarms, and Vijay paused his speech briefly before continuing. He ultimately ended his remarks after sensing an abnormal situation in a portion of the crowd, aides and local reporters said, though he later issued condolences for the victims.
Vijay, who has long been a popular film star in Tamil Nadu and later entered politics, has been a subject of intense public interest since he retired from acting in 2024 and launched his own political party. It remained unclear whether he plans to run for office in Tamil Nadu or what the initial reception to his party’s platform will be in the wake of Saturday’s tragedy. The episode adds to a broader pattern in which celebrities in Tamil Nadu and elsewhere in India command large followings that translate into political ambitions, sometimes drawing large crowds at campaign stops and, on occasion, traffic and crowd-control challenges.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences on social media, saying the incident was deeply saddening and that his thoughts were with the families of those who lost loved ones and with all who were injured. The government and state authorities have pledged support for the affected families as rescue operations and investigations continue. Modi’s message followed similar expressions of sympathy from other national and regional leaders.
In Tamil Nadu, as in much of India, film stars who have large audiences sometimes take on political roles, a trend that dates back decades in the state’s political culture. Vijay’s 2024 retirement from cinema and formation of a new party added a contemporary layer to that dynamic, though it remained unclear whether he would contest elections in the near term. The incident underscores the ongoing challenge of crowd management at mass political events in a country accustomed to very large public gatherings, including those tied to religious and cultural events.
Crowd-related incidents at major gatherings are not uncommon in India, where thousands or even tens of thousands may assemble for political rallies, religious festivals, or entertainment events. In January, for instance, at least 30 people were killed as tens of thousands of Hindus crowded to bathe in a sacred river during the Maha Kumbh festival, described by officials as the world’s largest religious gathering. Authorities say such incidents often prompt reviews of security, crowd-management plans, and emergency response protocols to prevent further tragedies, particularly in regions where heat and fatigue can exacerbate danger at crowded venues.
As investigators begin to piece together what occurred at the Karur rally, officials stressed that the priority remained ensuring the injured receive care and that families affected by the tragedy are supported. The consequences for the campaign and for Vijay’s political party will depend on the findings of the inquiry and any subsequent safety measures that may be adopted for future large-scale political events in Tamil Nadu and beyond.