A stampede at a rally for a popular Indian actor and politician has killed at least 36 people and injured 40 others in the country's southern state of Tamil Nadu, local authorities have said.
State Chief Minister MK Stalin said eight children and 16 women were among those who died on Saturday at the political rally for Vijay — who is campaigning for election after becoming one of the state's most successful actors.
The victims were dead by the time they were taken to a hospital, but the injured were in a stable condition, another official, state Health Minister Ma Subramanian, said.
Tens of thousands of people attended the rally in the district of Karur, where temperatures were intensely hot and Vijay arrived hours late, officials said.
Indian media reports, quoting local officials, said as Vijay spoke to the surging crowd, a group of his supporters and fans fell while trying to get close to his bus, causing the stampede.
"There was indiscipline," at the rally, Mr Subramanian said, adding that an investigation had been ordered.
Video from local media shows thousands of people surrounding a large campaign vehicle on top of which Vijay, known by only one name, is seen standing and speaking.
During the rally, footage showed Vijay throwing water bottles from the top of the vehicle to fainting supporters, and calling for police help when the crowd became uncontrollable.
Quoting officials, the Press Trust of India news agency reported that at least 30 people fainted while Vijay was addressing the rally from atop his campaign vehicle and were rushed in ambulances to area hospitals.
He halted his speech midway when workers raised alarm after noticing that people were fainting and falling, it said, adding that as they were removed to hospitals, Vijay continued his speech.
However, he ended his speech shortly after sensing an abnormal situation in a section of the huge gathering, the news agency said.
Actor expresses 'pain and sorrow' after stampede
Vijay was one of Tamil cinema's most bankable actors for three decades and has drawn massive crowds to his public meetings since launching his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, in 2024.
The party has targeted both the state ruling party DMK and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party.
He is campaigning ahead of state elections that are to be held in early 2026.
Hours after the stampede, Vijay offered his condolences.
"My heart is shattered," he posted on X.
"I am writhing in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow that words cannot express."
Mr Modi said the "unfortunate incident" was "deeply saddening".
"My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones," he said on social media.
"Wishing strength to them in this difficult time. Praying for a swift recovery to all those injured."
Stampedes have caused deaths at other events in India involving large crowds.
At least 30 people were killed in January as tens of thousands of Hindus rushed to bathe in a sacred river during the Maha Kumbh festival, the world's largest religious gathering.
In July last year, 121 people were killed in northern Uttar Pradesh state during a Hindu religious gathering.
AP/Reuters/AFP
