Family of people that had been killed in a stampede throughout a rally for a well-liked Indian actor and politician, mourn exterior a hospital, in Karur, within the southern state of Tamil Nadu, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
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NEW DELHI — A stampede at a rally for a well-liked Indian actor and politician within the southern state of Tamil Nadu killed at the very least 36 folks and injured 40 others, the state’s well being minister mentioned late Saturday.
Ma Subramanian informed The Related Press that the victims had been useless by the point they had been taken to a hospital and that the injured had been secure. The useless included eight youngsters, Subramanian mentioned.
The rally, which officers say was attended by tens of hundreds of individuals, was being addressed by Vijay, considered one of Tamil Nadu’s most profitable actors-turned-politician within the district of Karur.
Indian media experiences, quoting native officers, mentioned as Vijay spoke to the surging crowd, a bunch of his supporters and followers fell whereas making an attempt to get near his bus, inflicting the stampede. Supporters had gathered on the political rally amid intensely scorching temperatures and Vijay arrived hours late, officers mentioned.
“There was indiscipline” on the rally, Subramanian mentioned, including that an investigation had been ordered.
Quoting officers, the Press Belief of India information company reported that at the very least 30 folks fainted whereas Vijay was addressing the rally from atop his marketing campaign automobile and had been rushed in ambulances to space hospitals. He halted his speech mid-way when staff raised alarm after noticing that folks had been fainting and falling, it mentioned, including that as they had been eliminated to hospitals, Vijay continued his speech.
Nevertheless, he ended his speech shortly after sensing an irregular scenario in a bit of the large gathering, the information company mentioned.
Hours after the accident, Vijay provided his condolences.
“My coronary heart is shattered,” he posted on X. “I’m writhing in insufferable, indescribable ache and sorrow that phrases can’t specific.”
Family of people that had been killed in a stampede throughout a rally for a well-liked Indian actor and politician, mourn as they take the our bodies from a hospital, in Karur, within the southern state of Tamil Nadu, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025.
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned the “unlucky incident” was “deeply saddening.”
My ideas are with the households who’ve misplaced their family members. Wishing energy to them on this troublesome time. Praying for a swift restoration to all these injured,” he mentioned on social media.
In southern Indian states, notably Tamil Nadu, some movie stars have bigger than life standing, rooted within the historic Tamil tradition of hero worship and picture worship. Many have develop into politicians and a few have even been given divine standing.
In 2024, Vijay retired from appearing and launched his personal political occasion. It was unclear whether or not he plans to run for workplace in Tamil Nadu state.
Stampedes are comparatively widespread in India when massive crowds collect. In January, at the very least 30 folks had been killed as tens of hundreds of Hindus rushed to wash in a sacred river throughout the Maha Kumbh competition, the world’s largest spiritual gathering.
