At least 36 people, including children, were killed in a stampede at a political rally in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, local authorities said.
Tens of thousands gathered on Saturday for an election event held by actor-turned-politician Vijay in Karur district. Local media reported the rally began several hours late. Television footage showed people fainting in the tightly packed crowd.
Politician Senthil Balaji confirmed the death toll to reporters outside a local hospital and said more than 50 others were injured. State health minister Ma Subramanian specified that the victims included at least 16 women, nine men, and six children.
At the rally, Vijay addressed thousands of supporters from the roof of a vehicle.
Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin said some people were hospitalized after losing consciousness in the crush. He added that doctors from nearby districts had been called in. Families of the victims will receive one million rupees in compensation (about $11,300 or £8,400), and the circumstances of the tragedy will be investigated.
In an online statement Vijay wrote that his heart was “broken” and he was experiencing “unbearable, indescribable pain and grief.” He extended his “deepest condolences” to the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi called the incident a “tragedy” and a “deeply saddening event” in a post on X. Such disasters are not uncommon in India: this year alone there have already been several similar incidents, including stampedes at the Hindu festival Kumbh Mela and outside a cricket stadium.