Death toll climbs to 40 after stampede at political rally for popular actor Vijay in southern India.
The death toll from a stampede at a political rally in Tamil Nadu, India has reached 40.
The death toll following a stampede at a political rally for a popular actor and politician in the southern state of has climbed to 40 the state's health minister said Sunday as medics treated at least 124 injured in hospitals.
Ma Subramanian told The Associated Press that 36 victims were dead by the time they were taken to a hospital on Saturday night and four more died later.
He said the injured were largely stable.
The dead included nine children Subramanian said.
Tens of thousands of people gathered in the district of Karur on Saturday to attend the rally by Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, popularly and professionally known as Vijay, amid sweltering heat.
Vijay is one of Tamil Nadu's most successful actors and is running for office in state elections scheduled to be held in early 2026.
In southern Indian states particularly Tamil Nadu some film stars have larger than life status rooted in the ancient Tamil culture of hero worship.
Many have become successful politicians and some have even been given divine status.
S Sabesan a local resident who was at the rally said Vijay was supposed to address the rally around noon but arrived more than six hours late.
He said by that time a large crowd had choked the roads.
A lot of barricades and ropes were placed around the venue for crowd management Sabesan said adding that the crowd became so large that nobody could control it.
Multiple people fainted as he addressed the rally Vijay halted the speech and called in an ambulance to help them said Sabesan a 42-year-old textile businessman.
R Rajendaran a lawyer in Karur who witnessed the rally and subsequent accident said at one point Vijay threw water bottles into the crowd from atop his campaign vehicle.
When he decided to leave and his vehicle started moving commotion broke out as hundreds of his fans and supporters chased his vehicle Rajendaran said That is what led to the stampede.
Subramanian the minister said there was indiscipline at the rally The government has announced a probe led by a former judge who will submit the report in a month he said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K has announced over 11 000 each to the families of the dead.
Vijay retired from acting in 2024 and launched his own political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam He has drawn massive crowds to his public meetings.
Hours after the accident Vijay offered his condolences.
My heart is shattered he posted on X I am writhing in unbearable indescribable pain and sorrow that words cannot express.
Indian Prime Minister said the unfortunate incident was deeply saddening.
Stampedes are relatively common in India when large crowds gather In January at least 30 people were killed as tens of thousands of rushed to bathe in a sacred river during the Maha Kumbh festival the world's largest religious gathering.
This tragedy highlights the dangers of poor crowd management at large public events and calls for better safety protocols.
The death toll from a stampede at a political rally in Tamil Nadu, India has reached 40.
The death toll following a stampede at a political rally for a popular actor and politician in the southern state of has climbed to 40 the state's health minister said Sunday as medics treated at least 124 injured in hospitals.
Ma Subramanian told The Associated Press that 36 victims were dead by the time they were taken to a hospital on Saturday night and four more died later.
He said the injured were largely stable.
The dead included nine children Subramanian said.
Tens of thousands of people gathered in the district of Karur on Saturday to attend the rally by Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, popularly and professionally known as Vijay, amid sweltering heat.
Vijay is one of Tamil Nadu's most successful actors and is running for office in state elections scheduled to be held in early 2026.
In southern Indian states particularly Tamil Nadu some film stars have larger than life status rooted in the ancient Tamil culture of hero worship.
Many have become successful politicians and some have even been given divine status.
S Sabesan a local resident who was at the rally said Vijay was supposed to address the rally around noon but arrived more than six hours late.
He said by that time a large crowd had choked the roads.
A lot of barricades and ropes were placed around the venue for crowd management Sabesan said adding that the crowd became so large that nobody could control it.
Multiple people fainted as he addressed the rally Vijay halted the speech and called in an ambulance to help them said Sabesan a 42-year-old textile businessman.
R Rajendaran a lawyer in Karur who witnessed the rally and subsequent accident said at one point Vijay threw water bottles into the crowd from atop his campaign vehicle.
When he decided to leave and his vehicle started moving commotion broke out as hundreds of his fans and supporters chased his vehicle Rajendaran said That is what led to the stampede.
Subramanian the minister said there was indiscipline at the rally The government has announced a probe led by a former judge who will submit the report in a month he said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K has announced over 11 000 each to the families of the dead.
Vijay retired from acting in 2024 and launched his own political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam He has drawn massive crowds to his public meetings.
Hours after the accident Vijay offered his condolences.
My heart is shattered he posted on X I am writhing in unbearable indescribable pain and sorrow that words cannot express.
Indian Prime Minister said the unfortunate incident was deeply saddening.
Stampedes are relatively common in India when large crowds gather In January at least 30 people were killed as tens of thousands of rushed to bathe in a sacred river during the Maha Kumbh festival the world's largest religious gathering.
This tragedy highlights the dangers of poor crowd management at large public events and calls for better safety protocols.