A massive tragedy struck actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur on Saturday, where at least 39 people, including 16 women and 10 children, lost their lives in a stampede. Over 58 others were injured, with 45 reported to be in critical condition.
According to Tamil Nadu Police, permission was granted for 10,000 people, but over 50,000 gathered in the 1.2 lakh sq. ft. venue, creating dangerously overcrowded conditions. The chaos escalated after Vijay’s six-hour delayed arrival, when he made an appeal to find a missing 9-year-old girl from the stage, triggering panic and a stampede.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin rushed to Karur late at night, visiting hospitals to meet survivors and families of the deceased. He has announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh each for the kin of the victims and ₹1 lakh for the injured. The Union Home Ministry has sought a detailed report from the state government, even as questions mount over crowd management and the political fallout this tragedy could have on Vijay’s fast-rising electoral momentum ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
ALSO READ: Karur Stampede: Will Vijay’s Political Image Tarnish Ahead Of Tamil Nadu 2026 Elections?
The Madras High Court will hear an urgent plea at 4:30 p.m. seeking to restrain the Tamil Nadu DGP from granting permission for any public meetings or rallies by Vijay’s TVK party until the inquiry into the Karur rally stampede, which claimed 39 lives, is completed.
After 39 deaths in the Karur rally stampede, Vijay’s TVK has alleged a DMK conspiracy. Party lawyer Arivazhagan said a petition has been filed in the Madras HC seeking an SIT or CBI probe, rejecting claims of safety violations.
TVK Chief Actor Vijay tweets, “In a way that defies imagination, thinking about what happened in Karur yesterday, my heart and mind are overwhelmed with profound heaviness. In the midst of the immense grief of losing our loved ones, I am at a loss for words to express the pain my heart endures. My eyes and mind are clouded with sorrow. The faces of all of you whom I have met keep flashing through my mind. The more I think of my loved ones who show affection and care, the more my heart slips further from its place… I pray to God that all our loved ones who are injured and undergoing treatment recover swiftly and return home. I also assure you that our Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam will steadfastly provide all necessary support to our loved ones under treatment. By the grace of God, let us strive to recover from all this.”
PM Narendra Modi announces an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF to be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the unfortunate incident at a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.
PM Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased in the Karur rally tragedy. The injured will receive ₹50,000 each, the PMO confirmed on X.
Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu and YSRCP chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed grief over the Karur stampede at Vijay’s rally. Naidu extended condolences and wished speedy recovery to the injured, while Reddy called the tragedy “extremely painful” and stood in solidarity with bereaved families.
After the Karur rally stampede, two victims remain on ventilators. Authorities plan to complete post-mortems and hand over the bodies of the deceased to families by noon.
Eyewitness Nanda Kumar told ANI that the crowd at Vijay’s TVK rally in Karur was uncontrollable, leading to 39 deaths. He noted that the actor’s delayed arrival fueled the chaos and urged that measures be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future, while wishing a full recovery for the injured.
Tamil Nadu DGP G. Venkataraman stated that the Karur stampede, which left 39 dead including 16 women and 10 children, occurred after the crowd swelled due to Vijay’s delayed arrival. People waiting under the hot sun lacked food and water, and panic surged following TVK’s announcement of his noon arrival.
Dindigul District Collector S. Saravanan confirmed that the bodies of 38 people who died in the Karur TVK rally stampede have been identified. Efforts are ongoing to complete post-mortems and hand over the remains to their families, with one woman’s identity still being verified.
BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan arrived in Karur to assist those affected by the rally stampede, emphasizing practical help over sensationalism. She assured support for medical aid, blood donations, and families, noting coordination with district leaders and central government authorities.
Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan expressed shock and sorrow over the Karur stampede at Vijay’s rally, extending condolences to the families of the deceased and urging authorities to ensure proper treatment and relief for the injured.
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin visited the Government Medical College and Hospital in Karur, where victims of the deadly rally stampede are receiving treatment, offering support to the injured and their families.
AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami visited the Government Medical College and Hospital in Karur, where the injured from the rally stampede are being treated and postmortems of the deceased are underway, offering support to victims’ families.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin visited hospitals in Karur to meet victims of the deadly stampede at Vijay’s rally. Meanwhile, police have booked the TVK party district secretary in connection with the incident as investigations continue.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed his anguish over the Karur stampede, saying he cannot find words for families who lost their loved ones. He added that he will address the matter publicly once the official investigation is complete.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed sorrow over the Karur stampede at Vijay’s rally, extending condolences to the families of the deceased and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. He urged party workers to support victims and cooperate with authorities in relief efforts.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced a Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice Aruna Jagadeesan to investigate the deadly Karur stampede at Vijay’s rally, which claimed numerous lives and left many injured.
Tamil Nadu Health Secretary said 95 people are currently receiving treatment following the Karur rally stampede 55 admitted in government hospitals and 40 in private facilities. Authorities have placed hospitals on high alert to handle the crisis.
Reacting to the Karur rally tragedy, DMK MP Kanimozhi said she was “deeply shocked and distressed” over the loss of lives in the stampede at Vijay’s TVK rally. She added that CM Stalin has directed immediate assistance and offered her condolences to the bereaved families.
