Family members grieve outside a hospital after a deadly stampede at a political rally for a renowned Indian actor and politician in Karur, Tamil Nadu, on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
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NEW DELHI – A tragic stampede at a political gathering in Tamil Nadu’s Karur district claimed the lives of at least 36 individuals and left 40 others injured, according to the state’s health minister on Saturday night.
Health Minister Ma Subramanian informed The Associated Press that all deceased victims were pronounced dead upon arrival at medical facilities, with the injured reported to be in stable condition. Among the fatalities were eight children.
The event drew tens of thousands of attendees and featured a speech by Vijay, a celebrated actor-turned-politician in Tamil Nadu, who addressed the crowd from his campaign vehicle.
Local news outlets, citing officials, described how the chaos began when a segment of Vijay’s supporters surged forward to approach his bus, leading to a fall that triggered the stampede. The rally took place under intense heat, and Vijay’s arrival was delayed by several hours, officials noted.
“There was a lack of order at the event,” Subramanian remarked, confirming that authorities have launched an inquiry into the incident.
According to the Press Trust of India, at least 30 people fainted during Vijay’s address and were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals. The actor paused his speech briefly after aides alerted him to the fainting incidents but resumed before cutting his speech short upon sensing escalating distress within the crowd.
Following the tragedy, Vijay expressed his sorrow on social media, stating, “My heart is broken. I am overwhelmed with indescribable grief and pain that words cannot capture.”
Grieving relatives transport the bodies of those who perished in the stampede from a hospital in Karur, Tamil Nadu, on Sunday, September 28, 2025.
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the calamity as “deeply distressing” and extended his sympathies to the bereaved families. “My thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones. I pray for strength for them during this challenging period and wish a speedy recovery to all injured,” he shared on social media.
In Tamil Nadu and other southern states, film stars often enjoy immense reverence, a tradition rooted in the region’s cultural history of idolizing heroes and public figures. Several actors have transitioned into politics, with some attaining near-divine status among their followers.
Vijay stepped away from his acting career in 2024 to establish his own political party, though it remains uncertain if he intends to contest elections in Tamil Nadu.
Crowd stampedes are unfortunately frequent in India during large-scale events. Earlier this year, over 30 people lost their lives when a massive crowd surged to bathe in a sacred river during the Maha Kumbh festival, the world’s largest religious congregation.
