Death toll from stampede in southern India climbs to 40

The death toll following a stampede at a political rally for a popular Indian actor and politician in the southern state of Tamil Nadu has climbed to 40, the state's health minister said Sunday, as medics treated at least 124 injured in hospitals, Report informs via AP.

Tens of thousands of people gathered in the district of Karur on Saturday to attend the rally by Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, popularly and professionally known as Vijay, amid sweltering heat. Vijay is one of Tamil Nadu's most successful actors and is running for office in state elections scheduled to be held in early 2026.

As many as 36 victims were dead by the time they were taken to a hospital on Saturday night and four more died later. He said the injured were largely stable. The dead included nine children, Subramanian said.

S. Sabesan, a local resident who was at the rally, said Vijay was supposed to address the rally around noon but arrived more than six hours late. He said by that time, a large crowd had choked the roads.

"A lot of barricades and ropes were placed around the venue" for crowd management, Sabesan said, adding that the crowd became so large that "nobody could control it."

Vijay retired from acting in 2024 and launched his own political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. He has drawn massive crowds to his public meetings.

Hours after the accident, Vijay offered his condolences.

"My heart is shattered," he posted on X. "I am writhing in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow that words cannot express."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the "unfortunate incident" was "deeply saddening."

Stampedes are relatively common in India when large crowds gather. In January, at least 30 people were killed as tens of thousands of Hindus rushed to bathe in a sacred river during the Maha Kumbh festival, the world's largest religious gathering.