At least 36 people were killed and more than 50 injured on Saturday in a stampede at a rally held by Tamil actor Vijay, who is campaigning for election, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu said.
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Chief Minister MK Stalin said eight children and 16 women were among the 36 that died in the district of Karur in Tamil Nadu during a political rally by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, Vijay’s party.
Earlier, state lawmaker Senthil Balaji told reporters that 58 people were hospitalised.
Vijay, one of Tamil cinema’s most bankable actors for three decades, has drawn massive crowds to his public meetings since launching his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, in 2024, which has targeted both the state ruling party DMK and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party.
He is campaigning ahead of state elections that are to be held in early 2026.
02:26
Death toll from stampede at India’s Kumbh Mela festival climbs to at least 30
Death toll from stampede at India’s Kumbh Mela festival climbs to at least 30
Videos from local media show thousands of people surrounding a large campaign vehicle on top of which Vijay is seen standing and speaking.