In a tragic turn of events, the death toll from a stampede at a political rally in Tamil Nadu, India, has risen to 40, as confirmed by the state’s health minister, Ma Subramanian. The stampede occurred during an event organized for Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, commonly known as Vijay, a renowned actor entering the political arena.
Held in the district of Karur, the rally attracted tens of thousands amidst the oppressive heat. Initially, 36 casualties were pronounced dead at the hospital, with four more succumbing to their injuries later. The victims included nine children, and over 124 individuals have received medical treatment, mostly for stable conditions.
The event spiraled into chaos when Vijay, expected to address the crowd around noon, arrived over six hours late, causing a bottleneck of impatient attendees. S. Sabesan, a local resident present at the rally, noted the inadequate crowd control measures, which included barricades and ropes that eventually proved ineffective against the overwhelming numbers. As the temperatures soared, many attendees began to faint, prompting Vijay to interrupt his speech and call for ambulances.
Further compounding the disarray, lawyer R. Rajendaran witnessed Vijay tossing water bottles to the crowd from his campaign vehicle, a move that incited frenzy among the fans. The situation deteriorated when Vijay’s vehicle began to leave, prompting a rush of supporters to chase it, leading to the deadly stampede.
Subramanian acknowledged lapses in discipline at the rally and announced that an inquiry led by a former judge will investigate the incident, with findings expected in a month. In response to the tragedy, Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has pledged financial compensation of over $11,000 to each bereaved family.
Vijay, who retired from acting in 2024 to establish his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, expressed profound sorrow on social media, stating, “My heart is shattered.” Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as “deeply saddening.”
This tragic event underscores the challenges faced during large gatherings in India, where stampedes have previously occurred, such as the incident in January during the Maha Kumbh festival, which became a deadly rush resulting in 30 casualties. As the investigation proceeds, this incident highlights the need for improved safety protocols to prevent similar tragedies in the future.