At least 31 people, including children, were killed in a stampede at a political gathering of Tamil actor-turned-politician Thalapathy Vijay in Tamil Nadu, India. Hundreds more were injured in the tragic incident.
The stampede occurred on Saturday (September 27) in Karur district of Tamil Nadu, according to The Hindu.
Among the dead were six children, nine men, and sixteen women. Dozens of the injured have been rushed to hospitals, with many reported to be in critical condition.
Eyewitnesses said Vijay’s supporters had been waiting for more than six hours to see him. As the actor arrived late, the massive crowd began to swell uncontrollably. During his speech, the situation worsened when several people fainted in the heat and chaos. Vijay abruptly stopped his address and attempted to distribute water to those in distress, but by then panic and commotion led to a deadly stampede.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed grief over the incident and instructed authorities to closely monitor the situation. State Health Minister M. Subramanian has already reached the site to oversee rescue and relief operations.
Vijay, one of Tamil cinema’s biggest stars, recently launched a political party and is expected to contest in the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections.
