India: A stampede at a rally for a popular actor and politician in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu killed at least 36 people and injured 40 others, the state’s health minister said on Saturday (Sunday AEST).
The minister, Ma Subramanian, said the victims were dead by the time they were taken to a hospital. He said the injured were stable.
The dead included eight children, Subramanian said.
Stampedes are not uncommon in India, particularly during religious festivals and other large gatherings, due to massive crowds and inadequate safety measures.Credit: Getty Images
Large crowds had gathered in Karur for the event, part of Vijay’s ongoing state tour for his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, the report said.
Vijay, who uses only one name, is campaigning ahead of state elections expected early next year.
At least 44 doctors from the nearby districts of Tiruchirappalli and Salem were deployed to Karur, the report added.
“The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X.
Calls to Tamil Nadu’s health ministry and the office of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin went unanswered.
“The news coming from Karur is worrying,” Stalin said in a separate X post, adding he had directed ministers and officials to provide urgent medical aid and requested additional assistance from Tiruchirappalli.
