Chennai: A tragic stampede during a political rally led by actor and politician Vijay in Karur, Tamil Nadu, has resulted in at least 39 deaths and over 80 injuries. The incident occurred on Saturday evening in Veluswamypuram, a locality along the Karur–Erode highway, where a massive crowd had gathered to attend the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally.

The rally, initially expected to host around 10,000 attendees, saw an overwhelming turnout, with estimates suggesting that the crowd swelled to as many as 60,000 people. The situation escalated when Vijay's arrival was delayed by nearly six hours, causing attendees to wait under the scorching sun, leading to dehydration and fainting among many. At approximately 7:45 PM IST, as Vijay's vehicle arrived, a surge of people pressed toward the stage barricades, triggering a stampede. Witnesses reported that several individuals, including children, were trampled in the chaos. Ambulances faced significant challenges navigating through the dense crowd to reach the injured.

According to Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian, the deceased include 13 men, 17 women, 4 boys, and 5 girls. Over 80 individuals sustained injuries, with many admitted to hospitals in Karur and nearby districts. The condition of some of the injured remains critical.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin visited the site and announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh for the families of the deceased. He also ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. The Karur Town Police have registered a case against V. P. Mathiyazhagan, the Karur West district secretary of TVK, for violations of safety protocols, including charges of culpable homicide and endangering public safety.

Actor Vijay expressed profound sorrow over the incident, stating that he was "writhing in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow that words cannot express." He extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and offered prayers for the swift recovery of the injured.

The incident has drawn attention to the need for stringent crowd management measures at large public gatherings. Authorities are reviewing safety protocols to prevent such tragedies in the future.