Vijay’s debut political rally in Tamil Nadu turned tragic as a massive crowd surge left 10 dead, raising fresh concerns about crowd control in mega events.
BY PC Bureau
Chennai, Sept 27, 2025 — At least ten people were killed and more than 35 others injured in a stampede that broke out during a massive rally and march led by actor-turned-politician Vijay in Tamil Nadu on Saturday. The tragedy occurred in Tiruchirappalli district when an unexpectedly large crowd surged forward to catch a glimpse of the popular actor, who was addressing his supporters as part of his political outreach campaign.
According to eyewitnesses, panic spread when a barricade near the venue collapsed, causing people to push forward uncontrollably. In the chaos, several men and women, including elderly participants, were trampled. Emergency responders and local volunteers rushed to the spot, but the narrow lanes leading to the rally site made rescue efforts difficult.
District Collector S. Divyadarshini confirmed the casualties, saying: “We have confirmed ten deaths so far. Most of the victims died due to suffocation and crush injuries. Around 35 others are being treated at government and private hospitals.”
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The rally, which was part of Vijay’s new political movement, had drawn tens of thousands of supporters from across Tamil Nadu. Police sources admitted that the crowd far exceeded the initial estimate of 20,000 people. With insufficient personnel to manage the sea of attendees, the situation quickly spiraled out of control.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed grief over the tragedy and announced an ex gratia payment of ₹5 lakh each to the families of the deceased. He also ordered a high-level inquiry into the lapses in crowd control and security arrangements.
🚨 Tragedy in Tamil Nadu: A stampede-like situation at actor-politician Vijay’s rally in Karur claimed 10 lives- including 3 children & 7 TVK supporters.
Crowds had waited 6+ hrs, with Vijay arriving late. State Health Minister on site, CM Stalin monitoring.#TamilNadu #Vijay… pic.twitter.com/LPN0q187Sz
— The Alternate Media (@AlternateMediaX) September 27, 2025
Actor Vijay, who was reportedly devastated by the incident, left his scheduled program midway and rushed to the hospital to meet the injured. In a statement released later in the evening, he said: “I am heartbroken by this tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost their loved ones. I take moral responsibility for this incident and will ensure that such a disaster never happens again.”
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The opposition AIADMK has criticized the ruling DMK government for “complete administrative failure” in ensuring safety at large public gatherings. Political analysts, however, noted that the incident is a grim reminder of the risks associated with crowd surges in Tamil Nadu, where political rallies often attract massive numbers.
This is not the first such incident in the state. In 2004, a relief distribution drive organized by former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa in Chennai had similarly turned deadly, killing more than 20 people.
As night fell, police cordoned off the rally grounds in Tiruchirappalli. While ambulances continued to ferry the injured to hospitals, grief-stricken relatives searched for missing family members. The state government has declared Sunday as a day of mourning.
The stampede has now cast a shadow over Vijay’s political debut, raising tough questions about the preparedness of both organizers and local authorities in handling mammoth gatherings in the future.
