TVK's Karur roadshow stampede LIVE: Death toll rises to 40, those injured stable; case registered and probe underway
CM Stalin ordered a probe led by Justice Aruna Jagadeesan; Centre sought report as Amit Shah spoke to Stalin, Governor Ravi, assuring support.
CHENNAI: The death toll in the stampede at actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay's rally in Karur, about 400 km away from Chennai, rose to 40 on Sunday. At least 16 women and 10 kids were among those who suffocated to death at the actor-politician's heavily-crowded rally.
Around 95 people who suffered injuries are admitted to the Karur Government Hospital. They are now stable, except for one, said Tamil Nadu Health Secretary P Senthil Kumar.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced a Commission of Inquiry to be led by Justice Aruna Jagadeesan to probe into the incident. He reached Karur by midnight.
Hours after the tragedy, actor-politician Vijay expressed profound grief, extending his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and praying for the speedy recovery of those injured. “My heart is shattered," Vijay wrote on X.
Meanwhile, the Union Home Ministry has sought a report on the stampede from the Tamil Nadu government. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke to Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi and Stalin to take stock of the situation post-stampede at Karur and assured all possible central help.
Live Updates
- 28 Sept 2025 10:49 AM IST
Vijay holds meeting with TVK officials
TVK chief Vijay held discussions with party officials following the Karur stampede that claimed 39 lives. According to a Thanthi TV report, Vijay met with TVK officials to assess if he could travel to Karur on Sunday (Today) and is reportedly considering temporarily postponing his campaign tour.
- 28 Sept 2025 10:38 AM IST
Vijay's late arrival led to Karur tragedy, DyCM Udhayanidhi Stalin
Speaking to the media in Karur, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin slammed Vijay for his late arrival at the scheduled campaign meeting. He also alleged that it is the duty of TVK officials to control the crowd and that the responsibility lies with them. “The government will take necessary measures to ensure that such incidents do not happen again,” he added.
- 28 Sept 2025 10:06 AM IST
Premalatha Vijayakanth blames poor security for Karur stampede, extends condolences
Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) general secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth on Sunday described the tragic stampede at Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay’s rally in Karur as “a deeply distressing and unfortunate incident” and urged that such mishaps should never recur.
Read more Here
- 28 Sept 2025 9:56 AM IST
Newly engaged couple among Karur stampede victims
A newly engaged couple, soon to be married, were among the 39 victims who lost their lives in the Karur stampede. According to Thanthi TV report, the victims have been identified as Akash and Gokul Shri
- 28 Sept 2025 9:49 AM IST
DyCM Udhayanidhi Stalin pays homage to stampede victims
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi, who returned to Tamil Nadu after cancelling his Dubai trip, visited the Karur Government Hospital. He also met with the families of the deceased and offered his condolences.
- 28 Sept 2025 9:47 AM IST
Lack of security at AIADMK meeting as well, alleges EPS
AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami slammed the state government for lapses in providing adequate security during the political meeting in Karur. He further alleged that the AIADMK meeting in Karur on Thursday (September 25) also suffered from inadequate security.
- 28 Sept 2025 9:34 AM IST
EPS arrives in Karur
AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami arrived in Karur and consoled the families of the deceased
- 28 Sept 2025 9:32 AM IST
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Law and Order, S Davidson Devasirvatham told reporters that a case has been registered and an investigation into the incident is underway.
State police chief (in-charge) DGP G Venkataraman had rushed to the spot to oversee the efforts. In a late-night press conference, he said crowds began swelling from 11 am itself. "In their permission letter, they (TVK) had said they expected a crowd of about 10,000. There were tweets from the party handle that Vijay was expected to arrive by 12, so crowds began to gather. He reached at 7.40 pm. I am not blaming anyone, but the facts are that there were limited facilities for water and other necessities," Venkataraman said at the police headquarters. He added that the location allocated for Vijay’s speech is a pre-determined spot used by all political parties.
- 28 Sept 2025 9:26 AM IST
Death toll 39, injured people stable now
Tamil Nadu Health Secretary P Senthil Kumar said that out of the total deceased, 28 were from Karur, 2 each from Erode, Tiruppur, and Dindigul, and 1 from Salem, while 4 are yet to be identified.
Speaking to reporters, he said that out of 95 injured people, all are stable except one. He said, "A total of 95 people have been admitted to the hospital. 51 are admitted to the Government Medical College and Hospital. Except for one, the others are stable. Specialised doctors are looking after them. The remaining 44 are admitted to the private hospitals. 39 people have lost their lives."
