CHENNAI: At least 36 people were killed and greater than 50 injured on Saturday (Sep 27) in a stampede at a rally held by Tamil actor Vijay, who’s campaigning for election, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu mentioned.
Chief Minister M.Okay. Stalin mentioned eight youngsters and 16 girls have been amongst those that died within the district of Karur throughout a political rally organised by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam occasion.
Earlier, state lawmaker Senthil Balaji instructed reporters that 58 folks have been hospitalised.
VIJAY HAS DRAWN MASSIVE CROWDS
Vijay, one in every of Tamil cinema’s most bankable actors for 3 a long time, has drawn large crowds to his public conferences since launching Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in 2024. The occasion has focused each the state’s ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Social gathering.
He’s campaigning forward of state elections due in early 2026.
Movies from native media confirmed 1000’s of individuals surrounding a big marketing campaign car on prime of which Vijay was seen standing and talking. Through the rally, visuals confirmed Vijay throwing water bottles to fainting supporters and calling for police assist as the gang grew to become uncontrollable.
Indian Prime Minister Modi additionally responded to the incident on X, saying, “The unlucky incident throughout a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening.”
Not less than 44 docs from the close by districts of Tiruchirappalli and Salem have been despatched to Karur to help, media experiences mentioned.
SAFETY CONCERNS AT RALLIES
This isn’t the primary time Vijay’s rallies have confronted security issues. Not less than six deaths have been reported following the primary assembly of his occasion when it was launched in October final 12 months.
Regardless of police-imposed restrictions, together with limits on convoy dimension and venue modifications, the sheer dimension of public turnout has repeatedly overwhelmed native infrastructure.
