Stampede at Tamil Nadu rally for Indian actor Vijay kills 36

[ad_1] NEW DELHI (AP) — A stampede at a rally for a preferred Indian actor and politician within the southern state of Tamil Nadu killed at the very least 36 individuals and injured 40 others, the state’s well being minister mentioned late Saturday.

Ma Subramanian instructed The Related Press that the victims had been useless by the point they had been taken to a hospital and that the injured had been secure. The useless included eight youngsters, Subramanian mentioned.

The rally, which officers say was attended by tens of 1000's of individuals, was being addressed by Vijay, certainly one of Tamil Nadu’s most profitable actors-turned-politician within the district of Karur.

Indian media experiences, quoting native officers, mentioned as Vijay spoke to the surging crowd, a gaggle of his supporters and followers fell whereas making an attempt to get near his bus, inflicting the stampede. Supporters had gathered on the political rally amid intensely sizzling temperatures and Vijay arrived hours late, officers mentioned.

“There was indiscipline” on the rally, Subramanian mentioned, including that an investigation had been ordered.

Quoting officers, the Press Belief of India information company reported that at the very least 30 individuals fainted whereas Vijay was addressing the rally from atop his marketing campaign car and had been rushed in ambulances to space hospitals. He halted his speech mid-way when staff raised alarm after noticing that individuals had been fainting and falling, it mentioned, including that as they had been eliminated to hospitals, Vijay continued his speech.

Nevertheless, he ended his speech shortly after sensing an irregular scenario in a bit of the large gathering, the information company mentioned.

Hours after the accident, Vijay provided his condolences.

“My coronary heart is shattered,” he posted on X. “I'm writhing in insufferable, indescribable ache and sorrow that phrases can not specific.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned the “unlucky incident” was “deeply saddening.”

My ideas are with the households who've misplaced their family members. Wishing power to them on this troublesome time. Praying for a swift restoration to all these injured,” he mentioned on social media.

In southern Indian states, notably Tamil Nadu, some movie stars have bigger than life standing, rooted within the historic Tamil tradition of hero worship and picture worship. Many have develop into politicians and a few have even been given divine standing.

In 2024, Vijay retired from performing and launched his personal political celebration. It was unclear whether or not he plans to run for workplace in Tamil Nadu state.

Stampedes are relatively common in India when massive crowds collect. In January, at the very least 30 individuals had been killed as tens of 1000's of Hindus rushed to wash in a sacred river in the course of the Maha Kumbh festival , the world’s largest spiritual gathering.

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