Stampede at Indian rally kills 40, injures over 120

A stampede at a political rally for popular actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar in Tamil Nadu’s Karur district has left 40 people dead and at least 124 injured, state health minister Ma Subramanian said on September 28.

“36 victims were dead by the time they were taken to a hospital on Semptember 27 night and four more died later,” he added, noting that the injured were largely stable. Nine of the deceased were children, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Tens of thousands had gathered on Septemebnr 27 in sweltering heat to hear Vijay, who is running for office in state elections scheduled for early 2026.

“A lot of barricades and ropes were placed around the venue…nobody could control it,” said local resident S. Sabesan, who witnessed the crowd chaos.

Subesan added, “Multiple people fainted as he addressed the rally. Vijay halted the speech and called in an ambulance to help them.”

Witness R. Rajendaran described the moment the stampede occurred: “When he decided to leave and his vehicle started moving, commotion broke out as hundreds of his fans and supporters chased his vehicle. That is what led to the stampede.”

Subramanian blamed “indiscipline” at the rally and said a government probe led by a former judge will submit its report in a month. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced over $11,000 compensation for the families of the dead.

Vijay, who retired from acting in 2024 and launched his political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, expressed his grief on X: “My heart is shattered. I am writhing in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow that words cannot express.” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the “unfortunate incident” “deeply saddening.”

Stampedes are relatively common in India. In January, at least 30 people died during the Maha Kumbh festival when tens of thousands rushed to bathe in a sacred river.

By Sabina Mammadli