By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Stampede at Indian Political Rally Leaves 39 Dead, Scores Injured
A political rally in Tamil Nadu, southern India, turned deadly on Saturday evening after a stampede left at least 39 people dead and many others injured. Officials said the victims included nine children.
The rally, held in Karur district, had drawn tens of thousands of supporters of Vijay, a movie star who entered politics last year. Authorities had initially expected about 10,000 attendees, but police later confirmed that more than 27,000 people turned up.
Crowds began gathering from late morning under the blazing sun after being told that Vijay would arrive at noon. However, he did not appear until 7:40 p.m. By then, witnesses said, people had become restless and dehydrated, with limited food, water, and police presence to manage the situation.
When the actor finally began speaking, chaos broke out. Eyewitnesses reported that some supporters fell from a tree they had climbed to catch a glimpse of him, crashing onto the crowd below and sparking panic. Videos circulating on social media also showed Vijay handing out water bottles moments before the deadly surge.
“I was suddenly pushed down by the crowd. There was no space to move. I fainted shortly after,” survivor B. Kanishka told The Hindu. Another attendee said the tragedy “could have been prevented if people were not forced to wait for hours in the heat.”
Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin, confirmed the death toll on Sunday and announced a judicial inquiry. “This is a tragedy that should never have happened,” he said.
State police chief G. Venkataraman described the rally as poorly organised. “The crowd started coming in from 11 a.m. He came at 7:40 p.m. The people lacked sufficient food and water under the hot sun,” he explained.
The disaster has drawn renewed attention to recurring safety lapses during large gatherings in India. Earlier this year, a crush at a religious festival killed 30 people, and in 2024, more than 120 died during a Hindu prayer meeting in Uttar Pradesh.
Vijay, 51, who remains one of Tamil Nadu’s most popular actors, launched his own political party in 2024. His rallies have since attracted massive crowds ahead of elections scheduled for next year. In a statement following Saturday’s tragedy, he said, “My heart is shattered at this loss.”
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