Another Deadly Stampede: At Least 39 Dead, 51 Injured at Indian Political Rally

Crowd Crush at Rally for Popular Actor-Turned-Politician Vijay
Thousands of Supporters Surround the Scene as Tragedy Unfolds
Chief Minister Stalin Announces Inquiry Commission and Compensation for Victims

A deadly stampede occurred during a large political rally in Tamil Nadu, southern India, resulting in dozens of casualties.

According to major foreign media outlets on the 28th (local time), at least 39 people were killed and more than 50 injured when a crowd surged at the election campaign site of actor-turned-politician Vijay (age 51) in Karur, Tamil Nadu, the previous day. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin stated, "So far, 39 people have died, including 13 men, 17 women, 4 boys, and 5 girls, while 51 people-26 men and 25 women-are receiving intensive care."

A crowd gathers at the election campaign site of actor-turned-politician Vijay in Karur, Tamil Nadu, India. X (formerly Twitter)

According to local media, as supporters rushed toward the stage and the barricades collapsed, many were crushed by the crowd. Social media videos show Vijay, surrounded by thousands of supporters and standing on top of a vehicle to give a speech, throwing water bottles to the fainting crowd and asking the police for help as more people lost consciousness.

Vijay has been one of the most popular actors in the Tamil-language film industry for over 30 years. Last year, he founded a regional political party and officially entered politics. Ahead of next year’s local elections, his visit to Karur for a campaign speech drew thousands of people to the site.

Vijay posted on social networking service X (formerly Twitter), saying, "My heart is broken and I am overwhelmed by indescribable pain," expressing condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery for the injured. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also wrote on X, "I am deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident," offering comfort to the bereaved families.

Chief Minister Stalin announced that compensation of 1 million rupees (approximately 1.59 million won) would be provided to each victim’s family and that a commission of inquiry, chaired by a former judge, would be formed to investigate the circumstances.

Fatal accidents have previously occurred at Vijay’s rallies. At the party’s inaugural rally last year, at least six people died. While the police subsequently imposed limits on procession sizes and changed event locations, reports indicate these measures were insufficient to control the massive crowds.

In India, stampedes frequently occur at large gatherings such as religious, political, and sports events. In July last year, 121 people were killed at a Hindu festival in Uttar Pradesh, and in June this year, 11 people died in a stampede during a cricket victory celebration in Bengaluru, southern India.