Tamil Nadu Stampede Tragedy: 40 Dead Including Children at Actor Vijay's Political Rally

The aftermath of the tragic stampede at actor-politician Vijay's rally has left a trail of chaos, confusion and profound heartbreak across Tamil Nadu's Karur district.

Devastating scenes unfolded as a father desperately clutched his son's lifeless body, pleading with hospital staff to save him. In another heart-wrenching moment, a mother lay beside her deceased son in the hospital, refusing to accept the reality of her loss. These haunting images emerged following Saturday's deadly incident that claimed 40 lives, including 10 minors, and injured approximately 100 people.

Two-year-old Dhuru Vishnu, the youngest victim, was brought to the rally by his aunt. A video captured his father kneeling inside a government hospital, his anguished cries moving even hospital staff to tears. His mother was later seen screaming in disbelief beside her toddler's body wrapped in white. "It was our mistake. We should not have taken a child there," the aunt lamented.

The tragedy claimed the lives of several children: Hemalatha and Sailetsana (both 8), Sai Jeeva (4), Dhuru Vishnu (2), Sanuj (13), Dharanika (14), Pazhaniammal (11), Kokila (14), Krithik (7), and Kishore (17). Many other victims were young adults in their twenties and thirties, including an engaged couple, both 24, who were soon to be married.

Tens of thousands had gathered in Karur to attend the rally for Vijay, one of Tamil Nadu's most celebrated actors, who was campaigning for his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party ahead of upcoming state elections. Tamil Nadu police reported that nearly 27,000 people had assembled on a public road, despite the party having permission for only 10,000 attendees.

The 51-year-old politician temporarily paused his speech when people in the crowd began fainting. He was seen tossing water bottles to the public before panic erupted. Even as ambulances arrived at the scene to transport victims to hospitals, Vijay eventually resumed his address.

Police had resorted to baton-charging the crowd moments before the stampede as they attempted to clear paths for ambulances. The situation rapidly deteriorated as many in the crowd fell to the ground.

Disturbing footage captured the screams of women and children trapped within the mass of people. Some attendees were seen trying to assist those who had fallen. In one video, a young girl caught in the chaos was gasping for air while bystanders sprinkled water on her face and urged her to drink.

Police conducted another lathi-charge nearly an hour after the stampede to disperse remaining crowds from the venue.

Vijay departed for Chennai without making an immediate statement, drawing criticism from the ruling DMK party. His response came hours later: "I am at a loss for words to express the pain my heart endures." He announced compensation of Rs 20 lakh for each victim's family.

A poignant image from the stampede site showed mounds of abandoned footwear, clothing items, red-yellow TVK scarves, and personal belongings left behind by attendees fleeing the chaos.

The Tamil Nadu government has announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh to victims' families and Rs 1 lakh to the injured. A case has been filed against TVK office-bearers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged Rs 2 lakh to each victim's family and Rs 50,000 to those injured.

Meanwhile, the TVK party has approached the Madras High Court's Madurai Bench, seeking either a CBI or an independent investigation into the deadly stampede incident.