Tragedy at Vijay’s TVK Rally At Least 31 Dead

Tamil Nadu was plunged into mourning on Saturday, 27 September 2025, after a political rally led by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president and actor Vijay turned deadly in Karur. According to hospital authorities, at least 31 people lost their lives in the chaos, while over 50 others remain hospitalised with injuries. Among the victims were six children, nine men and 16 women, underscoring the scale of the disaster.

The rally, part of Mr Vijay’s ongoing State-wide tour to strengthen his fledgling political movement, had drawn thousands of supporters. Eyewitness accounts suggest that as the gathering swelled, sections of the crowd began to collapse due to suffocation and heat, leading to panic and a stampede-like situation. Many people fainted in the crush and were rushed to Karur Medical College Hospital as well as nearby private facilities. The scale of the tragedy quickly prompted a high-level response from the State government. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin described the news from Karur as “deeply concerning” and announced urgent measures. In a message posted on X, the Chief Minister confirmed that he had directed former Minister V. Senthilbalaji, along with Health Minister Ma. Subramanian and the District Collector, to travel to Karur and personally oversee treatment for the injured. He added that Tiruchi Minister Anbil Mahesh would also extend assistance “on a war footing”.

Mr Stalin further stated that he had spoken with the Additional Director General of Police to ensure immediate steps were taken to restore order and prevent further escalation. He appealed to both the public and medical professionals to co-operate in the relief effort and to extend every possible support to those affected. The incident has cast a sombre shadow over Vijay’s political campaign. While his foray into Tamil Nadu’s volatile political landscape has been marked by enthusiasm and massive turnouts, Saturday’s tragedy is likely to raise questions about crowd control measures, event management, and the responsibility of organisers when mobilising such vast numbers of people.

As families grieve and hospitals remain overwhelmed, the State now faces the daunting task of addressing both the humanitarian crisis and the political ramifications of a disaster that has claimed more than thirty lives in a single afternoon.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies