Tamil Nadu Stampede: ‘Such a tragedy should never happen’, says CM Stalin; Full story

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said that this is by far the largest number of deaths the state has witnessed in a program organised by a political party.

Karur: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Sunday expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of at least 39 people in a stampede at a political rally addressed by actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay in Karur.

While speaking to the reporters, Stalin said that this is by far the largest number of deaths the state has witnessed in a program organised by a political party. He further added that that he is falling short of words to describe the incident and that such a tragedy “should never happen” in the future.

Video: Tamilnadu Stampede; TVK Vijay first response came after incident, Death toll rises to 38

Grief-filled cries, have not left my heart: CM Stalin

The tears shed by the families of those who lost their lives throughout the night, and the pain caused by their grief-filled cries, have not left my heart, Stalin said on X while posting as video consoling the family members of the victims.

இரவு முழுவதும் உயிரிழந்தவர்களின் குடும்பத்தினர் சிந்திய கண்ணீரும், அவர்களது துக்கம் நிறைந்த அழுகுரல் ஏற்படுத்திய வலியும் என் நெஞ்சத்திலிருந்து அகலவில்லை… #KarurTragedy pic.twitter.com/Z9K2TZs7NW

— M.K.Stalin - தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) September 28, 2025

PM Modi offered condolences

Several political leaders including PM Modi, Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, MK Stalin, Arvind Kejriwal and more have expressed their concern and offered condolences regarding the situation in Karur.

PM Modi expressed his distress and concern for the victims on X. "The tragic incident that occurred during a political procession in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply distressing. I express my condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this event. I wish them mental strength during this difficult time. I pray that the injured recover soon", Modi said on X.

தமிழ்நாட்டின் கரூரில் ஓர் அரசியல் பேரணியின் போது நிகழ்ந்த துயரமான சம்பவம் மிகவும் வருத்தம் அளிக்கிறது. இந்த நிகழ்வில், தங்கள் அன்பிற்குரியவர்களை இழந்தவர்களின் குடும்பத்தினருக்கு எனது இரங்கல்களைத் தெரிவித்துக் கொள்கிறேன். இந்தக் கடினமான காலகட்டத்தில் அவர்கள் மன வலிமையைப் பெற…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 27, 2025

Death toll climbed to 39

Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian confirmed that 39 people died in the stampede occurred in the actor-politician Vijay's rally in Karur on September 27, Saturday. The victims include six children, nine men and 16 women. More than 40 people were injured in the stampede.

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As per police officials, the rally took a turn for the worse after the crowd surged towards the barricade to catch a glimpse of Vijay during his speech. As per the officials, the rally expected around 30,000 people. However, the local reports suggested  that the rally saw at least 60,000 people in attendance.