NEWS UPDATE: Sunday 6.20 AM (IST)
A deep sense of mourning has enveloped Karur after the death toll from Saturday evening&rsquo;s stampede at TVK leader Vijay&rsquo;s rally in Veluchamipuram rose to 39. More than 60 others remain under treatment in hospitals across the city.
Hospital officials confirmed that over 15 unidentified bodies are being kept at the Karur Government Hospital mortuary, awaiting identification by grieving relatives.
On Saturday night, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said that 36 people, including eight children and 16 women, had perished. With further confirmations from medical authorities, the toll has now climbed to 39.
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Taking note of the grave situation, Stalin rushed to Karur to oversee relief measures. He also announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹10 lakh each to the families of the deceased. Additionally, a Commission of Inquiry under retired High Court Judge Aruna Jegadeesan will probe the circumstances leading to the tragedy.
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Karur police have registered a case against several individuals, including TVK West District Secretary Mathiyalagan, under sections 109, 110, 125(b) and 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These provisions cover charges ranging from attempt to murder and culpable homicide to rash conduct endangering life and disobedience of lawful orders.
This is not the first such incident linked to a TVK rally. A similar situation was reported earlier in Nagapattinam, where cases were also filed against party functionaries.
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NEWS RELEASE : Saturday 21.13 (IST)
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

Tragedy in Tamil Nadu as 39 die, 60 injured in stampede at TVK leader Vijay’s rally

Karur rally stampede toll rises to 39 dead

Tragedy in Tamil Nadu as 39 die, 60 injured in stampede at TVK leader Vijay’s rally

September 28, 2025 | 02:43 IST