Karur Tragedy: 13 Dead, Dozens Injured in Stampede at Actor Vijay’s Political Rally

• A massive crowd surge during a campaign event for actor-politician Vijay’s TVK party in Karur has resulted in a devastating loss of life, with fears the death toll could rise.

Karur: A political campaign event led by actor Vijay turned into a scene of tragedy on Saturday, after a massive stampede led to the deaths of at least 13 people. More than 30 others were injured in the crush and have been rushed to local hospitals for treatment.

Medical authorities have stated that several of the hospitalized individuals are in critical condition, leading to fears that the death toll may increase.

The incident occurred during a public meeting in Karur, part of Vijay’s ongoing state-wide tour ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Eyewitnesses report that overcrowding led to a sudden surge, causing many to fall and be trampled. Over 30 people who fainted in the melee were rescued and immediately transported for medical care.

The aftermath saw chaotic scenes at the Karur Government Hospital, where senior officials, including former minister V. Senthil Balaji and the District Collector, rushed to assess the situation and coordinate relief efforts.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has been briefed on the tragedy by the Karur District Collector. He has reportedly ordered senior ministers and high-ranking police officials to travel to Karur immediately to oversee the response and provide all necessary assistance to the victims and their families.

Vijay has been conducting weekly campaign tours every Saturday since September 13th for his party, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). He had previously held rallies in Trichy and Ariyalur on September 13th, and in Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur on September 20th. Today’s tour included events in Namakkal and Karur, the latter of which ended in this tragic stampede.