At least 31 people, including children, are feared dead after a stampede broke out during a public rally addressed by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay Kumar in Karur, Tamil Nadu, on Saturday.
<img src="https://ibp-benefits.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/prod/news/uploads/images/1758987766310_G13O8rcb0AQly0q.jpeg" alt="G13O8rcb0AQly0q.jpeg" width="680" height="382">The incident occurred while the actor-turned-politician was delivering a campaign speech, with the crowd swelling beyond capacity. Witnesses said several attendees fainted amid severe overcrowding, forcing Vijay to pause his address and appeal for calm. He urged supporters to clear the way so ambulances could reach those in distress.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin described the reports from Karur as &ldquo;worrying&rdquo; and confirmed that he had directed officials to provide urgent medical attention to the injured. He said he had spoken with DMK minister Senthil Balaji, Health Minister Ma. Subramanian, the district collector and senior police officers. Minister Anbil Mahesh was also deployed from nearby Tiruchirappalli to coordinate relief measures.
Following the chaos, police resorted to baton-charge to disperse the restless crowd outside the rally ground. Medical teams were quickly mobilised, distributing water bottles and rushing several patients to nearby hospitals. DMK minister Senthil Balaji and the district collector personally visited the hospital to oversee the treatment of those admitted.
In the confusion, a nine-year-old girl was reported missing. Vijay appealed to the police and his cadres to assist in locating her, stressing the urgency of the search.
The stampede overshadowed the political tone of the rally, during which Vijay had taken indirect aim at former DMK minister Senthil Balaji. Without naming him, he criticised the ruling party for promising an airport in Karur, only later urging the Centre to take responsibility for the project. Vijay further predicted that Tamil Nadu would witness a significant shift in political power within the next six months.
This rally formed part of Vijay&rsquo;s state-wide campaign ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Order was eventually restored by police and event organisers, allowing the event to conclude, though the tragedy has cast a deep shadow over the campaign.

Public rally and ambulances at Karur hospital

Chaos at Vijay’s TVK campaign in Tamil Nadu leaves at least 31 feared dead.

31 killed in stampede at Karur rally

Chaos at Vijay’s TVK campaign in Tamil Nadu leaves at least 31 feared dead.

September 28, 2025 | 02:43 IST