Death toll climbs to 40 after stampede at political rally for Indian actor Vijay
Footage shows Vijay throwing water bottles to fainting supporters and calling for help when the crowd in Tamil Nadu becomes uncontrollable
The death toll following a stampede at a political rally for a popular Indian actor and politician in the southern state of Tamil Nadu has climbed to 40, the state’s health minister said on Sunday, as doctors treated at least 124 injured in hospitals.
Ma Subramanian said 36 victims were dead by the time they were taken to a hospital on Saturday night and four more died later. He said the injured were largely stable. The dead included nine children, Subramanian said.
Earlier, state lawmaker Senthil Balaji told reporters that 58 people were hospitalised.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the “unfortunate incident” was “deeply saddening”.
Tens of thousands of people gathered in the district of Karur on Saturday to attend the rally by Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, popularly and professionally known as Vijay, amid sweltering heat. Vijay is one of Tamil Nadu’s most successful actors and is running for office in state elections scheduled to be held in early 2026.