A devastating crowd surge at a political rally in southern India on Saturday resulted in the deaths of dozens and left over 40 injured, according to official reports. The tragedy unfolded as thousands eagerly pushed forward to see a renowned actor-turned-politician.
On Sunday, G. Venkataraman, the Tamil Nadu state police chief, confirmed at a press conference that the fatal incident claimed 38 lives, including 12 men, 16 women, and 10 children.
Another 45 individuals were hospitalized in Karur, the Tamil Nadu city where the event occurred. The state’s chief minister, M.K. Stalin, shared this information on social media.
The stampede began while Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, widely known as Vijay — a popular actor who has transitioned into politics — was addressing the crowd from a makeshift stage atop a bus.
Mr. Chandrasekhar, 51, is celebrated as one of Tamil Nadu’s most accomplished actors, having headlined numerous blockbuster films. In 2024, he concluded his acting career to fully immerse himself in politics, establishing his own party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
Footage from the rally, widely circulated on social media, showed the actor briefly halting his speech to appeal to the crowd, urging them to clear a path for ambulances attempting to navigate through the dense gathering.
Police Chief Venkataraman disclosed that the event organizers initially requested permission for a rally of 10,000 attendees, scheduled between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. However, an overwhelming 27,000 people arrived. Compounding the issue, social media promotions inaccurately stated Mr. Chandrasekhar would appear at noon, despite his arrival only nearing 8 p.m. “People were waiting without water and food for a long time,” Venkataraman noted.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his deep sorrow and condolences to the affected families, describing the incident as “deeply saddening.” Chief Minister Stalin also issued a public statement, urging cooperation with medical and law enforcement officials.
In his own statement, Mr. Chandrasekhar shared his profound grief, stating, “My heart is shattered. The sorrow I am feeling is indescribable.”
He extended his heartfelt condolences and expressed hope for the swift recovery of all those injured.
Additional reporting was provided by Anupreeta Das.