39 Killed, Including Women And Children, In Stampede At Actor Vijay’s Tamil Nadu Rally

A massive political rally led by actor-turned-politician Vijay in Tamil Nadu’s Karur district ended in a horrific tragedy on Saturday, as a stampede triggered by massive overcrowding left at least 39 people dead, including eight children and 16 women . Over 60 others were injured in the crush, which occurred as tens of thousands of supporters of Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party surged towards the stage, breaking through barricades .

The tragic event unfolded as Vijay was addressing the rally from his campaign bus . According to police sources, permission was granted for a gathering of around 10,000 people, but the actual turnout swelled to an unmanageable crowd of nearly 35,000 . The situation was exacerbated by the fact that Vijay arrived at the venue nearly six hours behind schedule, by which time the restless crowd had grown chaotic . As he began his speech, a surge towards the stage led to the collapse of barricades, triggering the deadly stampede . Vijay abruptly halted his speech, and was seen pleading, “Police, please help,” as he threw water bottles to the suffocating crowd and tried to arrange for ambulances .

Heartbreaking visuals emerged from hospitals as families desperately sought news of their loved ones, with one image showing a father carrying the lifeless body of his child . Following the incident, Vijay was seen leaving for Chennai from the Tiruchirappalli airport without visiting the injured at the hospital . Hours later, he issued a statement expressing his grief, saying his “heart is shattered” and that he was “writhing in unbearable, indescribable pain” .

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed his shock and announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of each of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for the injured . He dispatched senior ministers to Karur to oversee relief efforts and is expected to visit the area . Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed their condolences . The tragedy has sparked a political blame game, with BJP state chief K. Annamalai holding the DMK government and state police responsible for negligence and failing to manage the crowd