According to Subramanian, the death toll from the stampede reached 36 before additional victims were taken to hospitals, with four more succumbing to their injuries later. Among those who died were nine children. The tragedy occurred in Karur district, where tens of thousands gathered in sweltering heat to hear Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, known as Vijay, a celebrated actor from Tamil Nadu who recently entered politics. Vijay, a retired actor who stopped performing in 2024, currently leads his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, as he prepares for the 2026 state elections. In Tamil Nadu, film stars are often revered, with many successfully transitioning into political roles.
Vijay is the latest in a long line of stars to attract large crowds to public events. Witnesses reported that chaos ensued after Vijay arrived six hours later than scheduled. The roads were congested, and the enormous crowd made movement difficult. S. Sabesan, a local textile businessman, recalled that although barricades and ropes were in place, they were insufficient to manage the crowd’s size. He noted that many people fainted during Vijay’s speech, prompting him to temporarily stop and call for ambulances. Attendee lawyer R. Rajendaran mentioned that the situation escalated when Vijay, seated at the front of his campaigning vehicle, began throwing water bottles into the crowd. As his car departed, the crowd surged, resulting in the stampede.
Minister Subramanian acknowledged a “lack of discipline” in crowd management and announced that a former judge would investigate the incident, with findings expected next month. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed his sorrow and declared a compensation of over $11,000 for the victims’ families.