By News Karnataka Editorial Team

Copyright newskarnataka

Karur: At least 39 people, including nine children, were killed and more than 50 others injured in a stampede during Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay’s rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, on Saturday evening. The incident took place about 400 km from Chennai, shortly after Vijay began addressing a massive crowd of supporters who had been waiting for hours under the scorching sun.

According to officials, the rally, which was scheduled from 3 pm to 10 pm, saw an unexpectedly high turnout. While organisers had sought permission for around 10,000 attendees, nearly 27,000 people reportedly gathered at the venue. The overcrowding, coupled with insufficient food and water supplies, led to exhaustion among many, particularly women and children.

Police confirm overcrowding and delays

Tamil Nadu Director General of Police (in-charge) G. Venkatraman said Vijay arrived for the event around 7:30 pm, much later than scheduled. “By the time Vijay arrived, the crowd had already been waiting for hours without sufficient food and water. That is the reality,” he told reporters.

The top cop revealed that although over 500 police personnel had been deployed for security, the sheer size of the crowd made management challenging. “Vijay himself appreciated the police for their role but stressed that party cadres must take responsibility for crowd management. It does not mean the police should deploy numbers equal to the entire crowd of 27,000,” Venkatraman added.

He further clarified that while preliminary findings pointed to overcrowding as a key factor, the exact reasons behind the tragedy would only be established after the ongoing inquiry by a one-person commission appointed by the Tamil Nadu government.

Chaos during Vijay’s speech

Eyewitnesses reported that panic spread when several people fainted in the suffocating conditions as Vijay began his address from atop his campaign vehicle. The situation quickly deteriorated into a stampede, with supporters falling on each other in the rush to escape.

Vijay reportedly stopped his speech midway, threw water bottles into the crowd, and appealed to the police for immediate assistance. Several women and children were among those who collapsed. Emergency medical teams rushed to the site to provide aid and transfer the injured to nearby hospitals.

Government response and compensation

Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin confirmed the toll, saying, “So far, 39 people have died, including 13 men, 17 women, 4 boys, and 5 girls. Another 51 people, including 26 men and 25 women, are undergoing intensive treatment.”

The state government has announced an ex gratia of ₹10 lakh each for the families of the deceased. Stalin has also deputed health minister Ma Subramanian and other officials to oversee relief efforts, ensure proper treatment for the injured, and coordinate with district authorities.

Vijay expresses grief

Vijay, who launched TVK in 2024 and has since drawn massive crowds across Tamil Nadu, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. “My heart is broken; I am in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

“I express my deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of my dear brothers and sisters who lost their lives in Karur. I pray for a speedy recovery for those undergoing treatment in hospital,” he added.

Concerns over safety protocols

The Karur tragedy has reignited debate over crowd management at political rallies in Tamil Nadu. Critics point to inadequate planning, the absence of safety protocols, and the failure to anticipate a turnout far larger than expected. With nearly three times more people attending than organisers had planned for, conditions became unsafe as the day wore on.

Civil society activists and political observers have urged the government to set stricter guidelines for mass gatherings to prevent such incidents in the future. The enquiry commission’s findings will be closely watched, as they are expected to highlight lapses on the part of both organisers and authorities.

The Karur stampede has cast a shadow on Vijay’s political journey, turning what was meant to be a showcase of TVK’s growing popularity into one of Tamil Nadu’s worst rally-related tragedies. With 39 lives lost — including children — and dozens more injured, the focus now shifts to accountability, relief for victims’ families, and long-term measures to ensure public safety at political events.