At Least 36 Dead and 50+ Injured in Stampede at Actor Vijay’s Political Rally in India

At least 36 people died and more than 50 were injured in a crowd crush at a political rally for popular Indian actor-turned-politician Vijay in Tamil Nadu.

State health minister Ma Subramanian confirmed that the victims, including eight children, were already dead on arrival at the hospital, while the injured remain in stable condition.

The tragedy occurred during a campaign event in Karur, where Vijay — a Tamil cinema superstar for over three decades — was addressing supporters as part of his political debut. He launched his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, in 2024 and has been drawing massive crowds while challenging both the ruling DMK and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP ahead of the 2026 state elections.

Vijay, 51, expressed heartbreak over the incident on X, saying his “heart is shattered” and extending condolences to the families of those who died. Footage from local media showed Vijay atop a campaign vehicle, throwing water bottles to fainting supporters and calling for police help as the situation spiraled out of control.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the crush as “deeply saddening,” offering condolences and strength to the grieving families.

India has a history of deadly stampedes during large gatherings. Earlier this year, 30 people were killed during the Maha Kumbh Mela festival, while 121 people died in Uttar Pradesh in July 2024 at a religious event. In June, 11 fans were crushed during IPL victory celebrations in Bengaluru.

This is not the first safety issue at Vijay’s rallies. Media reports note that at least six deaths occurred during the launch of his party in October 2024. Despite police restrictions on convoy size and venue limits, the sheer scale of turnout has repeatedly overwhelmed local infrastructure.