At least 39 people, including children, died in a crowd crush during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, on Saturday. Tens of thousands of people had gathered to see actor-turned-politician Vijay. The event was delayed by several hours, which caused severe overcrowding. Videos and pictures shared online showed panic in the crowd, with people fainting and belongings like shoes and water bottles scattered on the road.

Victims and Injured

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said the victims included 17 women, 13 men, and nine children. Around 51 people were injured and are being treated in hospitals nearby.

One man, speaking to ANI, shared the heartbreak his family is facing: “The elder son of my brother passed away, the younger one is missing. My sister-in-law is in the ICU. What should I do?” Many families at the rally were left in shock, searching for missing relatives and trying to get updates on the injured.

Government Response

Chief Minister Stalin announced that each family of the deceased will receive compensation of ₹10 lakh. He also confirmed that an official inquiry would be conducted to find out what went wrong during the event.

Reactions from Leaders

Vijay expressed his grief online, saying his heart was “broken” and that he was in “unbearable sorrow.” He offered his deepest condolences to the families of those who died and prayed for the recovery of the injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident “unfortunate” and “deeply saddening” in a post on X, expressing his condolences to the families and concern for those affected.

Historical Context

Crowd crushes have happened in India before, including at large religious gatherings like the Kumbh Mela and outside cricket stadiums. This tragic incident is a reminder of the dangers that can arise when huge crowds gather in one place.

The Karur tragedy has left families mourning and communities in shock. It is a sad and tragic event, and such incidents are, unfortunately, not new in India.