Stampede at Vijay’s Karur Rally Kills 39, Injures 50+

At least 39 people, including nine children, were killed and more than 50 injured in a stampede at actor-turned-politician Vijay’s rally in Karur, around 400 km from Chennai, on Saturday evening.

Tamil Nadu police said the tragedy occurred shortly after Vijay began addressing supporters who had been waiting for hours under the sun. Panic spread in the overcrowded venue when people began fainting and collapsing. Several women and children were among the victims.

DGP (in-charge) G. Venkatraman said organisers had sought a ground for about 10,000 people, but nearly 27,000 turned up. “By the time Vijay arrived around 7:40 pm, the crowd had been waiting since noon without sufficient food and water,” he told ANI. More than 500 police personnel had been deployed, he added.

Vijay stopped his speech midway, appealed for police assistance, and was seen throwing water bottles into the crowd as the situation spiralled.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin confirmed the death toll, which included 13 men, 17 women, four boys, and five girls. Another 51 people are undergoing intensive treatment. The state government has announced ₹10 lakh compensation for the families of each victim.

A one-man commission has been set up to probe the tragedy.

Vijay, a Tamil cinema star for over three decades, has drawn massive crowds since launching his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), in 2024. Expressing grief on X, he wrote: “My heart is broken; I am in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow. I express my deepest sympathies and condolences to the families … I pray for a speedy recovery for those undergoing treatment.”