Stampede at Indian Actor-Politician’s Rally Leaves 40 Dead, More Than 50 Injured

Tens of thousands of people had gathered in Tamil Nadu, India, to see Vijay, an actor turned politician, when the crowd surge turned deadly.

Rows of Indian national flags wave in the wind at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, India, on Aug. 15, 2025. Numan Bhat/Middle East Images via AFP

At least 36 people, including eight children and 16 women, were killed and more than 50 others injured in a stampede on Sept. 27 at a political rally for Indian film star Vijay in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, according to officials.

The crush occurred in the city of Karur, where tens of thousands of people had gathered to see the 51-year-old actor, one of Tamil cinema’s most bankable stars. Vijay launched his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam Party in 2024 and is campaigning ahead of state elections scheduled for early 2026.

Tamil Nadu Minister of Health Ma Subramanian told the Associated Press that the victims were brought to the hospital and that most of the injured were out of danger.

Local television footage of the incident showed thousands of people crowding around a campaign truck, on which Vijay stood to address supporters. At one point, he was seen tossing water bottles to fainting fans and calling for police assistance as the gathering turned unruly.

Vijay, who has drawn enormous crowds since his political debut, said he was devastated.

“My heart is broken; I am in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow,” Vijay wrote in a post on X. “I express my deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of my dear brothers and sisters who lost their lives in Karur. I pray for a speedy recovery for those who are undergoing treatment in the hospital.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed condolences.

“The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening,” Modi said in a message on X. “My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Wishing strength to them in this difficult time. Praying for a swift recovery to all those injured.”

Vijay’s rivals quickly blamed him and his party for the disaster. A spokesperson for the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Party alleged that Vijay’s late arrival was a deliberate tactic to whip up anticipation.

“They waited for almost six hours,” Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam spokesman Saravanan Annadurai told NDTV. “This is a cheap ploy by the organizers, and there was criminal negligence. Whoever is responsible has to be arrested. And Mr. Vijay is culpable. He cannot escape culpability.”

This is not the first time safety issues have been raised regarding Vijay’s events. Local media reported at least six deaths during the launch of his party in October 2024.

Even though police imposed restrictions on convoy sizes and venue changes in an attempt to manage crowds, public turnout on a number of occasions has put additional strain on local infrastructure.

India has seen a string of deadly stampedes at political, religious, and sporting events, at which crowd control measures often fail. Thirty worshippers died in January during the Maha Kumbh Mela festival, 121 were killed at a Hindu gathering in Uttar Pradesh in July 2024, and 11 fans died in June at a cricket victory celebration in Bengaluru.

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.