A POLITICAL rally has turned violent, leaving 31 people dead and many more injured.
A stampede has crushed multiple people as large crowds gathered in support of Tamil actor and politician Vijay in southern India on Saturday.
A rally in India has turned violent, leaving 29 people dead and many more injured[/caption]
Vijay, a candidate for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party, was stopped on a stage of an ongoing state tour.
Among the dead were at least six children and 16 women, according to the Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian.
“More than 40 people are receiving treatment,” he added.
At least 44 doctors and forensic experts from other hospitals in the region have been deployed to assist in the recovery effort following the stampede.
Vijay’s political rallies had previously drawn large crowds, however none had descended into chaos, until now.
The actor-turned-politician was forced to pause his speech as several supporters fainted amid severe overcrowding.
As the crowd continued to grow in size and density, several party workers and children fainted due to the pressure of the gathering.
The permit for the rally mentioned an estimated turnout of 10,000 people; however, officials estimate the attendance to be closer to 50,000.
After numerous people were hospitalised, the police baton-charged the crowds to disperse the people.
Water bottles were distributed to people feeling unwell, and medical teams were deployed immediately, as more people were taken to the hospital.
The politician, who only goes by one name, has been campaigning ahead of the state elections to be held in early 2026.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the ordeal was “deeply saddening” in a public statement to social media platform X.
“The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening,” he wrote.
“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,” he said.
The state’s Chief Minister MK Stalin also spoke out on X.
“The news coming from Karur is worrying,” he wrote.
He called for “immediate treatment for civilians” who had fainted and been admitted to hospital and said he had been in contact with Health Minister Subramanian.
“I request the public cooperate with the doctors and the police,” he finished.
The incident happened while Vijay was delivering a speech where he claimed the political landscape in Tamil Nadu would undergo a change in power within six months.
Authorities and event organisers were able to restore order after the stampede, allowing the event to carry on without further disruptions.
