A devastating stampede at a rally held by popular actor-politician Vijay in Karur, Tamil Nadu, resulted in the tragic loss of 39 lives, including nine children, and left over 50 people injured. The incident occurred on Saturday during a public event organized by Vijay’s political party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
The rally, which was scheduled to take place from 3 pm to 10 pm, saw an unexpectedly massive turnout. Organizers had anticipated approximately 10,000 attendees and had secured a large ground accordingly. However, nearly three times that number, around 27,000 people, reportedly gathered for the event. Crowds began arriving as early as 11 am, with many waiting for hours without adequate food or water before Vijay’s arrival at 7:40 pm.
Authorities confirmed that over 500 police personnel were deployed for security. While Vijay himself acknowledged the police’s efforts and emphasized the need for party cadres to manage crowd control, the sheer volume of attendees overwhelmed the arrangements.
In response to the tragedy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced a Commission of Inquiry, to be led by Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, to thoroughly investigate the circumstances that led to the stampede. The state government has also announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh for the families of each victim.
Vijay, a prominent figure in Tamil cinema for over three decades, expressed his deep sorrow and condolences on social media, stating his heart was broken and he was in unbearable pain. He offered his sympathies to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.