Tamil Nadu, India – A political rally in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu turned into a scene of tragedy on Monday, September 29, 2025, after a massive crowd surge resulted in the deaths of at least 40 people, including nine children. The stampede occurred at a gathering for actor-turned-politician Vijay, who recently launched his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.

The event, held in the city of Tiruchirappalli, had drawn tens of thousands of enthusiastic supporters. Eyewitnesses reported that the crowd became dangerously overcrowded, and as Vijay began to address the rally, a sudden push from the back caused a catastrophic stampede. People were trampled underfoot as panic spread through the dense gathering.

“It was chaos,” one survivor told local media. “People were falling over each other, and there was no way to escape. We were just trying to breathe.”

Emergency services were quickly overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster. In addition to the fatalities, over 120 people have been reported injured, with many in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll could rise. Local hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of casualties.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on social media, stating, “Pained by the tragic loss of lives at the rally in Tamil Nadu. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.” The state government has announced an investigation into the incident, with a focus on whether adequate crowd control measures were in place.

This tragedy has once again highlighted the dangers of overcrowding at public events in India, where deadly stampedes have occurred in the past, particularly at religious festivals and political rallies. Authorities are now facing questions about the planning and security arrangements for such large-scale gatherings. As the investigation begins, the nation mourns the lives lost in this devastating incident.