At least 39 killed in crowd crush at Indian actor-politician Vijay’s rally | Politics News

Vijay, a well-known actor who goes by only one name, launched a political party last year.

At least 39 people have been killed and more than 50 injured following a crush at a political rally held by Tamil actor Vijay, who is campaigning for election, state officials in India said.

“So far, 39 people have died  – including 13 men, 17 women, four boys, and five girls – while 51 people, including 26 men and 25 women, are receiving intensive treatment,” Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin told reporters in Karur, the district where the incident occurred, on Saturday.

The tragedy unfolded after huge crowds had gathered for a public meeting, part of Vijay’s ongoing state tour for his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.

Vijay, one of Tamil cinema’s most bankable actors for three decades, has drawn massive crowds to his public meetings since launching his political party in 2024, which has targeted both the state governing party, DMK, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party. He is campaigning before state elections that are to be held in early 2026.

Videos from local media show thousands of people surrounding a large campaign vehicle on top of which Vijay is seen standing and speaking.

Vijay’s delayed arrival at the venue led to the crowds swelling, Tamil Nadu police chief DGP Venkatraman was quoted by The Hindustan Times as saying.

“By the time Vijay arrived at 7:40pm, the crowd had already been waiting for hours without sufficient food and water. That is the reality,” the police chief said.

During the rally, Vijay was seen throwing water bottles from the top of the vehicle to fainting supporters and calling for police help when the crowd became uncontrollable.

“My heart is broken; I am in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow,” Vijay wrote on X.

“I extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of my dear brothers and sisters who lost their lives in Karur,” he added.

At least 44 doctors from the nearby districts of Tiruchirappalli and Salem were sent to Karur, media reports added.

“The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening,” Prime Minister Modi said in a post on X.

Chief Minister Stalin has announced compensation of 1 million Indian rupees ($11,280) for each of the families of the victims who died in the incident, and an inquiry panel has been established.

This is not the first time Vijay’s rallies have faced safety concerns. At least six deaths were reported by the media following the first meeting of his political party when it was launched in October last year.

Despite police-imposed restrictions on such rallies, including limits on convoy size and venue changes, the sheer scale of public turnout has repeatedly overwhelmed local infrastructure and the ability of authorities to respond.