A stampede at actor-turned-politician Vijay’s rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, killed 39 people, including 10 children and 17 women, and injured 81

CHENNAI: Chaotic images from a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, show massive crowds packed along the 2 km stretch from the Karur-Trichy highway roundabout to the Karur-Erode highway on Saturday evening.

Supporters and party workers surrounded actor-turned-politician Vijay’s campaign vehicle, with many women, children, and young girls among the attendees. Cadres stood dangerously close to the vehicle, according to the images.

The gathering quickly turned chaotic, triggering panic and a stampede. Several attendees fainted and were rushed to nearby hospitals.

At least 39 people, including 10 children and 17 women, were killed, while 81 were hospitalised, many with serious injuries.

Witnesses said the stampede began shortly after Vijay started his speech, when disturbances in the crowd caused panic. The actor appealed to the crowd and police to remain calm before cutting his speech short and leaving the venue.

Survivors described floodlights failing, parents searching for missing children, and people trapped under two-wheelers and barricades. Some even climbed rooftops to help others, but the structures collapsed, worsening the situation.

In response to the tragedy, Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin announced an inquiry commission, headed by retired judge Justice Aruna Jagatheesan, to investigate the incident. He also ordered ex-gratia payments of Rs 10 lakh for each deceased and Rs 1 lakh for each injured.

Emotional scenes unfolded at Karur Government Medical College Hospital, where family members mourned their loved ones.

The Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peramaippu (Federation of Traders’ Associations) announced a full shutdown across Karur district on Sunday in solidarity with the victims. Around 25,000 traders in the district, including 15,000 in the city, were asked to close their businesses, with exemptions for essential services.