A horrifying crowd stampede tragically claimed the lives of dozens and left over 40 injured during a political rally in southern India on Saturday. The incident occurred when thousands surged towards a makeshift stage, mounted on a bus, where popular actor and politician Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, or Vijay, was addressing his supporters.
The state’s Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin, confirmed on social media that at least 36 people, including eight children, perished in the chaos. Forty-five individuals were hospitalized in Karur, Tamil Nadu, the city where the tragedy unfolded. Ma Subramanian, the state’s health minister, indicated to local news outlets that the number of fatalities was likely to increase.
Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, 51, a towering figure in Tamil Nadu’s film industry with numerous commercial blockbusters to his name, recently transitioned into politics. In 2024, he concluded his acting career to establish his own political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
Eyewitness videos shared on social media captured the actor pausing his speech, visibly concerned as ambulances struggled to navigate through the dense crowd, pleading with fans to clear a path for emergency services.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his profound sorrow to the bereaved families, describing the incident as ‘deeply saddening’ in a post. Chief Minister Stalin also appealed to the public via social media, urging full cooperation with medical professionals and law enforcement.
Mr. Chandrasekhar himself released a heartfelt statement online, conveying his immense grief: ‘My heart is shattered. The sorrow I am feeling is indescribable.’ He extended his deepest condolences to the victims’ families and offered his hopes for the swift recovery of all those injured.