40 Dead, Over 50 Critical in Tamil Nadu Stampede at Actor-Politician Vijay’s Rally
Karur (Tamil Nadu), September 21 – A tragic stampede at a political rally organized by Tamil actor-turned-politician Vijay’s newly formed party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), claimed the lives of at least 40 people, including women and children, in Karur on Saturday evening. The incident, caused by extreme overcrowding, suffocating heat, and a lack of crowd control measures, has left the state in shock and mourning.
According to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, among the deceased are 16 women and 10 children, while over 51 people remain in the ICU with severe injuries. Officials fear that the death toll could rise further as several victims are in critical condition.
Rally Delayed, Crowd Waited in Sweltering Heat
The rally, held for Vijay’s political entry and campaign, had drawn an overwhelming response, with fans and supporters gathering at the venue from the afternoon. The event, however, started nearly six hours behind schedule, forcing tens of thousands of people to wait in sweltering heat and humidity without adequate facilities such as drinking water or ventilation.
As the evening approached, actor Vijay finally arrived in Karur, which triggered massive excitement among the crowd. Witnesses reported that around 7:45 p.m., as Vijay’s campaign bus moved closer to the stage, hundreds of supporters surged forward to catch a glimpse of him. This sudden push caused chaos and panic, leading to a deadly stampede.
Collapse of Crowd Control
Eyewitnesses revealed that there were no visible police barricades or trained volunteers stationed near the stage to control the swelling crowd. The local administration had estimated the attendance at 30,000 people, but the actual turnout exceeded 60,000, far beyond the arrangements in place.
With no proper crowd management or escape routes, many attendees collapsed due to suffocation, while others were trampled. Children were separated from their families, and several women fainted amid the chaos. Survivors described harrowing scenes of people falling on one another, struggling to breathe, and screaming for help.
Vijay Appeals During Chaos, Leaves Speech Incomplete
In the middle of his address, Vijay reportedly appealed to the crowd to help locate a missing nine-year-old girl. However, as the situation escalated, he was forced to abruptly end his speech and leave the stage. While he was quickly escorted to safety, thousands of his supporters remained stranded in the dangerous crush.
Videos of the tragedy show people attempting to pull out unconscious children from the crowd, while others desperately searched for missing family members. Hospitals in Karur and surrounding districts were overwhelmed with the sudden influx of casualties, many of whom were rushed in critical condition.
Emotional Scenes at Hospitals
Tamil Nadu’s Education Minister, who visited the hospital to meet the victims, broke down in tears after seeing the lifeless bodies of young children laid out in rows. Families grieving the loss of their loved ones described the event as “a festival turned into a funeral.”
Doctors reported that several patients were admitted with multiple fractures, head injuries, and respiratory complications due to suffocation. Emergency medical teams from neighboring towns were called in to support the overburdened hospitals.
Government Response and Investigation
Chief Minister Stalin announced an ex-gratia compensation for the families of the deceased and assured that a high-level inquiry would be conducted to determine the lapses that led to the tragedy. Opposition parties have already raised concerns about negligence in planning and crowd safety measures at the event.
Experts have emphasized that such large gatherings require strict adherence to safety protocols, including crowd caps, barricading, medical camps, and evacuation routes—none of which appeared to have been implemented adequately.
A Shadow Over Vijay’s Political Debut
The stampede has cast a dark shadow over Vijay’s much-anticipated political debut. Once celebrated as a “people’s rally,” the event has now become a grim reminder of poor planning and the dangers of overcrowding.
As investigations continue, Tamil Nadu mourns one of the deadliest stampedes in its recent history. Families continue to wait outside hospitals for updates, as the state prays for the recovery of those battling for their lives.
