Demise toll climbs to 40 after stampede at political rally for actor Vijay in southern India

[ad_1] NEW DELHI (AP) — The dying toll following a stampede at a political rally for a preferred Indian actor and politician within the southern state of Tamil Nadu has climbed to 40, the state’s well being minister stated Sunday, as medics handled at the least 124 injured in hospitals.

Ma Subramanian advised The Related Press that 36 victims had been lifeless by the point they had been taken to a hospital on Saturday evening and 4 extra died later. He stated the injured had been largely secure. The lifeless included 9 kids, Subramanian stated.

Tens of 1000's of individuals gathered within the district of Karur on Saturday to attend the rally by Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, popularly and professionally referred to as Vijay, amid sweltering warmth. Vijay is one in all Tamil Nadu’s most profitable actors and is operating for workplace in state elections scheduled to be held in early 2026.

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

S. Sabesan, a neighborhood resident who was on the rally, stated Vijay was supposed to handle the rally round midday however arrived greater than six hours late. He stated by that point, a big crowd had choked the roads.

“A variety of barricades and ropes had been positioned across the venue” for crowd administration, Sabesan stated, including that the gang turned so giant that “no person may management it.”

A number of individuals “fainted as he addressed the rally. Vijay halted the speech and referred to as in an ambulance to assist them,” stated Sabesan, a 42-year-old textile businessman.

R. Rajendaran, a lawyer in Karur who witnessed the rally and subsequent accident, stated at one level Vijay threw water bottles into the gang from atop his marketing campaign car.

“When he determined to depart and his car began shifting, commotion broke out as lots of of his followers and supporters chased his car,” Rajendaran stated. “That's what led to the stampede.”

Subramanian, the minister, stated “there was indiscipline” on the rally. The federal government has introduced a probe led by a former decide who will submit the report in a month, he stated.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.Okay. Stalin has introduced over $11,000 every to the households of the lifeless.

Vijay retired from performing in 2024 and launched his personal political get together, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. He has drawn large crowds to his public conferences.

Hours after the accident, Vijay supplied his condolences.

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

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

Stampedes are relatively common in India when giant crowds collect. In January, at the 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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