In a devastating tragedy beyond words, at least 29 people, including 2 children, died in a stampede at Kollywood star and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party President Thalapathy Vijay’s campaign in Tamil Nadu’s Karur. The state’s health minister has confirmed the deaths and also stated that 50 more injured are undergoing treatment at the Karur Medical College Hospital and local private hospitals.
Soon after being informed about the stampede-like situation, Vijay ended his speech abruptly. Close to 1 lakh people have reportedly thronged Karur to catch a glimpse of the actor-turned-politician as he took on the ruling DMK and opposition ADMK parties. The DMK government has deployed 24 doctors from Tiruchi and 20 doctors from Salem to Karur to attend to the injured.
Tamil Nadu CM Stalin took to X and posted that he had instructed former Minister V. Senthilbalaji, Health Minister Ma. Subramanian, Minister Anbil Balaji, and the District Collector to ensure immediate treatment for the injured. Following this shocking tragedy, Vijay’s ambitious statewide political tour ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections stares at uncertainty.