A tragic stampede in Karur, Tamil Nadu, at a political rally held by actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, has resulted in at least 39 deaths and numerous injuries. The incident occurred on Saturday, September 27, 2025, sending shockwaves throughout the state and nation.
The stampede took place in Velusamypuram, along the Karur-Erode highway, where a massive crowd had gathered to see Vijay, a popular Tamil actor who launched TVK in 2024. Reports indicate that the crowd size far exceeded initial expectations, with some estimates suggesting as many as 60,000 attendees, while permissions were granted for only around 10,000. Supporters began arriving as early as 11 a.m., well before the rally's scheduled start time of 3 p.m.. Vijay's arrival was delayed by several hours, causing the already large crowd to swell and become increasingly restless under the hot conditions. Witnesses reported instances of fainting, dehydration, and overall unease before the rally even began.
The crush occurred around 7:30 p.m. as large sections of the crowd surged towards the stage barricades in an attempt to get a better view of Vijay. As Vijay addressed the crowd from atop his campaign vehicle, panic ensued as people began to faint and collapse in the overcrowded venue. The situation quickly spiraled out of control, leading to the deadly stampede.
Among the 39 confirmed fatalities are 17 women and 9 children. In addition to the deceased, at least 83 people sustained injuries, ranging from fractures to suffocation, and were admitted to hospitals in Karur and nearby districts.
Following the tragedy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin immediately rushed to Karur to meet with the injured and the families of the deceased. Expressing deep sorrow, Stalin described the incident as "heartbreaking" and "irreparable". He announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh to the families of the victims and Rs 1 lakh to those undergoing treatment in hospitals.
In response to the incident, the Tamil Nadu government has formed a one-member Commission of Inquiry, headed by retired High Court Judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, to investigate the causes of the stampede and submit a report to the government. Justice Jagadeesan has previously led investigations into other high-profile cases, including the 2018 Thoothukudi firing.
The Karur stampede has drawn reactions from national leaders, including President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, all of whom have expressed their condolences to the bereaved families and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.
The incident has raised serious questions about crowd management and safety protocols at political rallies and public events. Police revealed that organizers had requested a ground anticipating a crowd of approximately 10,000 people, but nearly three times that number arrived. The delay in Vijay's arrival, coupled with the lack of adequate food and water for the waiting crowd, further exacerbated the situation.
