Karur, Tamil Nadu – A tragic stampede at a political rally led by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay in Karur has claimed 38 lives, including several women and children, with authorities launching an urgent investigation into the overcrowding that sparked the disaster.
The incident unfolded late Saturday evening around 7:30 p.m. local time, as Vijay addressed a massive turnout of supporters at the event, held roughly 400 kilometers southwest of Chennai. Enthusiastic crowds had begun assembling in the afternoon, drawn by the celebrity politician’s rising profile ahead of his party’s formal launch. What started as a high-energy gathering quickly descended into pandemonium when attendees rushed the stage barriers, causing multiple individuals to collapse from exhaustion and suffocation. In the ensuing crush, families were separated, and vulnerable groups like children bore the brunt of the tragedy.
Eyewitness accounts, captured in chaotic footage circulating on social media, depicted scenes of desperation: police officers and event volunteers overwhelmed as fainting spectators were trampled underfoot. Vijay, mid-speech, paused upon spotting the distress. He distributed water bottles to those in need and even appealed over the microphone for a lost child, but the surge proved unstoppable, amplifying the disorder.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin responded swiftly, convening an emergency high-level meeting at the state secretariat to assess the crisis. In a televised address, he confirmed the death toll had risen to 38, based on updates from local hospitals, and extended condolences to the bereaved families. “This is an irreparable loss,” Stalin stated, emphasizing the government’s commitment to transparency. He directed the formation of a Commission of Inquiry to pinpoint lapses in crowd management and security protocols, with preliminary findings expected soon.
Stalin also announced ex-gratia payments of Rs 10 lakh each to the kin of the deceased, alongside medical aid for the dozens injured and receiving treatment. Early Sunday, he visited the Government Medical College and Hospital in Karur, where he consoled survivors and coordinated with doctors on their care. Officials from the district administration and police have been placed on high alert, with forensic teams now combing the site for evidence.
As investigations proceed, questions linger over event planning amid Vijay’s growing political clout. TVK supporters, meanwhile, have rallied online to honor the victims, calling for justice without politicizing the grief.