Karur stampede: TVK chief Vijay announces Rs 20 lakh aid for kin of deceased
Thirty-nine people have been killed and 95 have been injured in the stampede that broke out at TVK's rally in Karur on Saturday
At least 39 people, including children, were killed and 95 were injured in a stampede that broke out during a rally of actor-politician Vijay in Karur on Saturday (September 27). Of the injured, 51 have been admitted to the government hospital in Karur, where the condition of one of them is stated to be critical.
Long wait, crowd surge at Vijay’s rally
Addressing the press on Sunday (September 28) morning, Tamil Nadu DGP G Venkataraman blamed the stampede on the delayed arrival of actor-politician Vijay at the venue. He said the crowd had been waiting for a long time and lacked sufficient food and water while waiting for the actor’s arrival under the hot sun.
He said a surge in crowd was seen after the official X handle of Vijay’s TVK party said he would arrive at the venue by 12 noon.
“Permission (for the meeting) was sought between 3 pm-10 pm. The TVK Twitter account said he will come at 12 and the crowd started coming in from 11 AM. He came at 7.40 PM. The people lacked sufficient food and water under the hot sun." "Our intention is not to blame anyone, but we are just stating the facts," he said.
‘Arrangement made for 10K people; 27K turned up’
Further, Vijay was accorded a welcome at one point, and a big crowd followed him, and he was ushered in safely to the venue by the police. "He also lauded the police...the crowd kept swelling," he said.
While the organisers put the expected number at 10,000, about 27,000 people turned up to have a glimpse of the actor, Venkataraman said.
He indicated police protection was given, anticipating about 20,000.
Asked if there were "only 500" police personnel on bandobast duty, he said the meeting venue was a public road and more police cover would have meant people would not have sufficient space.
Two days ago, the meeting of a "big party" was held here, he said in an apparent reference to the AIADMK.
Stalin rushes to Karur, orders probe
Chief Minister MK Stalin rushed to Karur from Chennai past midnight and took stock of the treatment being given to the injured at the government hospital there.
Stalin said such a tragedy with such massive casualties in a political event has never occurred in the history of Tamil Nadu and should never recur in the future.
He announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for the injured while ordering the formation of an inquiry commission headed by a retired high court judge to probe the incident.
Authorities announced helpline numbers to reach the Karur district collect office helpdesk (04324 256306 and Whatsapp 7010806322).
Heat, chaos, overcrowding, 'power cut'
My heart is shattered: Vijay
The rally, part of Vijay's party TVK’s state-wide campaign push ahead of upcoming elections, was abruptly halted as cries of "police, please help!" echoed through the venue. Videos circulating online showed Vijay pausing his speech to distribute water bottles to his supporters.
Vijay later issued a brief statement on social media: "My heart is shattered; I am writhing in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow that words cannot express. I extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of my dear brothers and sisters who lost their lives in Karur. I pray for the swift recovery of those receiving treatment in the hospital."
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Live Updates
- 28 Sept 2025 6:50 AM IST
Bodies of victims handed over to families
An atmosphere of sorrow envelops the Government Medical College and Hospital campus in Karur, as families, shattered by the deaths of their loved ones, are handed over the bodies.
#WATCH | Karur, Tamil Nadu | Visuals from the Government Medical College and Hospital, where the bodies of victims of the Karur stampede incident are being handed over to their family members after the postmortem.
— ANI (@ANI) September 28, 2025
As per CM MK Stalin, so far, 39 people have lost their lives in… pic.twitter.com/Arfb6Ies38 - 28 Sept 2025 6:41 AM IST
Adityanath condoles deaths: 'Deeply anguished'
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday expressed grief over the death of 36 people, including eight children, in a stampede at actor-politician Vijay's rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur.
Deeply anguished to hear about the tragic accident in Karur, Tamil Nadu. This saddening incident has snatched away precious lives.
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) September 27, 2025
I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. May Prabhu Shri Ram give them strength and peace to the departed souls. Prayers for the… - 28 Sept 2025 1:30 AM IST
What eyewitness said
An eyewitness said ambulances could not get in, and there was not enough space for people to stand.
- 28 Sept 2025 1:28 AM IST
DGP Venkatraman denies social media rumours
Tamil Nadu Director General of Police (in charge) Venkatraman expressed regret over the tragic stampede. Describing the incident as "heartbreaking and utterly regrettable," the DGP outlined the extensive security measures in place and dismissed baseless allegations circulating on social media.
Under the leadership of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Law and Order Davidson, a robust contingent of three Inspectors General (IGs) and over 2,000 personnel was swiftly deployed to Karur to manage the event. "Our forces responded with utmost urgency to ensure public safety," Venkatraman stated, emphasising the scale of the operation.
A controversy erupted over the venue selection for the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally. Party workers had initially sought permission for gatherings at the congested LightHouse Corner and Uzhavar Market areas — both cramped spots with a history of overcrowding during previous events. "We denied those requests precisely because of the limited space and past experiences of surging crowds," the DGP explained. "Those locations are simply too narrow to accommodate such a large assembly safely."
Instead, the rally proceeded at a site along the Karur-Erode Road, selected at the behest of the party's district secretaries. However, Venkatraman noted that the venue could realistically hold only about 500 police personnel for crowd control. "This decision was made in good faith based on their assurances," he added.
Social media has been rife with accusations of police negligence, including claims of lathi charges and forceful dispersals. The DGP categorically refuted these, calling them "malicious misinformation." "We urge the public not to fall prey to unverified rumours that only exacerbate grief," he said.
- 28 Sept 2025 1:01 AM IST
Stampede at Vijay's Karur rally: All you need to know
A massive crowd gathered for a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, addressed by actor-turned-politician Vijay under his party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The rally was held in Velusamypuram, which lies along the Karur–Erode Highway. The stampede occurred at 730 pm, when Vijay was delivering his trademark speech, punctuated with sharp and witty dialogues. According to a report, over 50,000 people attended an event where the expected number was around 10,000.
Read more about what happened at Vijay's rally, here
- 28 Sept 2025 12:56 AM IST
Visuals from Government Medical College and Hospital in Karur
The injured persons are being treated at the government hospital in Karur.
- 28 Sept 2025 12:52 AM IST
81 people admitted in various hospitals
The injured have been admitted to various hospitals in Karur. In the government hospital, 47 people are receiving treatment, while 34 are in private hospitals. Among the 81 in hospitals, 22 are in the ICU. Also, five people have been discharged from private hospitals.
- 28 Sept 2025 12:47 AM IST
Family members wait to identify bodies at hospital
The family members of the deceased individuals wait to identify the bodies at the Karur Government Hospital mortuary. Many people who had come for the rally couldn't be identified after they were brought to the hospital and the family members were called to identify the bodies.
- 28 Sept 2025 12:27 AM IST
Death toll rises to 42
The death toll due to the stampede-like situation at TVK chief Vijay's rally in Karur has risen to 42.
