A tragic stampede unfolded during actor-turned-politician Vijay’s rally in Tamil Nadu’s Karur on September 26 resulting in more than 20 feared dead, including children, and numerous injuries. The incident happened amid severe overcrowding as thousands of supporters gathered to hear Vijay, who leads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party.
The rally drew an unexpectedly massive crowd, with many attendees reportedly waiting for over six hours before Vijay arrived late at the venue. The dense gathering became unmanageable, especially near the stage where people were tightly packed and began to push forward, causing panic.
The sultry weather and high temperatures further worsened the situation. As the crowd surged, multiple party workers and children fainted, collapsing under the pressure. Ambulances had difficulty navigating through the tightly packed throng, delaying rapid medical assistance.
Vijay himself halted his speech abruptly upon noticing several fainting incidents in the crowd. He called for calm and urged police assistance, reportedly appealing on the microphone “Police please help,” while distributing water bottles to those struggling in the heat.
The situation escalated further when reports emerged of a missing child within the crowd, adding to the panic and confusion before the child was safely found. Emergency responders rushed the injured to nearby hospitals, but chaotic scenes were witnessed in medical facilities as the inflow of patients overwhelmed resources.
After the stampede, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin expressed his concern and instructed officials, including the district collector, health minister, and senior police officers, to provide immediate relief and medical care to those affected.
He also called for public cooperation during this crisis. Officials indicated investigations were underway to determine lapses in crowd control and planning, especially regarding the event venue’s capacity and safety protocols.