At Least 40 Dead in Crowd Crush at Political Rally in Tamil Nadu

A campaign rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, turned deadly when a massive crowd surge left at least 40 people dead, including nine children, and well over 100 injured, according to state officials and multiple news outlets.

The event was held on Saturday, September 27, 2025, by actor-turned-politician Vijay for his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) ahead of the 2026 state elections.

Witnesses and authorities said the crowd swelled for hours in intense evening heat as supporters pressed toward a campaign truck where Vijay appeared.

As people fainted and fell, others surged forward, creating a deadly pile-up near barricades along the Karur–Erode highway. Emergency services rushed victims to hospitals across Karur and neighboring districts, with doctors and ambulances mobilized from nearby cities.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced compensation of ₹10 lakh (about $12,000) for the families of the deceased and ordered a judicial inquiry. State officials said a one-member commission led by a retired judge will investigate safety arrangements, crowd control failures, and the sequence of events.

Law enforcement has opened criminal cases related to event management and crowd safety; several close aides involved in organizing the rally face charges including culpable homicide and negligence, authorities said.

Vijay called the tragedy “unbearably painful” and urged support for victims’ families, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences.

Crowd crushes remain a recurring risk at large gatherings in India, and public safety experts emphasized the need for capacity limits, controlled entry points, and real-time crowd monitoring, especially when star power attracts far more attendees than planned.

Sources: BBC News, Associated Press, Reuters, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, CNN