23 Dead in Crowd Surge at Vijay’s Karur Rally, Dozens Injured

Chennai, Sept 2025 : A massive political rally in Tamil Nadu’s Karur turned tragic on Saturday night when a sudden crowd surge led to the death of at least 23 people and left several others injured, including children and elderly attendees. The incident occurred during a campaign event organised by actor-turned-politician Vijay’s party, the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), at Velusamipuram.

Panic in Darkness

According to eyewitnesses, panic broke out around 7:20 p.m. after a sudden power outage plunged the rally grounds into near darkness. Thousands of supporters, packed tightly to hear Vijay’s address, lost control as the crowd swayed and surged forward. The chaos triggered a stampede-like situation, worsened by overcrowding and poor ventilation at the venue.

Parents and volunteers were seen carrying unconscious children out of the suffocating crowd, while others struggled to clear pathways for ambulances and police vehicles. Rescue operations were hampered by blocked exits and the sheer size of the gathering.

Rescue Efforts and Casualties

Emergency teams rushed to the site through the night. Ambulances lined the venue to transport victims, but the crush delayed evacuation efforts. The Karur Superintendent of Police led officers in stabilising the situation and opening access routes for emergency services.

Doctors at Karur Government Medical College Hospital confirmed at least 23 deaths. More than 30 people, including six children, were admitted for treatment. Three children remain in the intensive care unit (ICU), while several others are battling critical injuries.

The hospital resembled a war zone as medical staff worked around the clock to manage the influx of patients. Former Tamil Nadu minister V. Senthil Balaji also visited the injured and reviewed emergency care arrangements.

Political Fallout and Government Response

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who monitored the situation closely, ordered an immediate emergency response. Acting on his instructions, Ministers Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and Ma Subramanian were dispatched to Karur to oversee medical care and crowd-control measures. Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), Davidson Devasirvatham, also reached the district to support rescue operations and ensure safety.

Before the tragedy, Vijay had been addressing local grievances, including illegal sand mining, mineral theft, and civic issues troubling the Karur region. He had sharply criticised the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and predicted a political change of power within six months.

Questions Over Safety

As power supply was restored later and the crowd dispersed, questions mounted over the adequacy of safety precautions at such high-profile political events. Concerns include the absence of sufficient crowd management, inadequate ventilation, and a lack of emergency exits.

The TVK has not yet issued an official statement regarding the tragedy. Political observers note that this incident could reshape the tone of campaigning in the run-up to the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, with public safety now taking centre stage.

For grieving families, however, the night stands as a grim reminder of how celebrations of political mobilisation can turn fatal when safety takes a backseat.