Stampede at Tamil Nadu Rally Kills Nearly 40, Injures Over 50

At least 39 people, including women and children, were killed and over 50 injured in a stampede at a political rally in Karur district, Tamil Nadu, India, held by popular actor-turned-politician Vijay. The rally, which drew tens of thousands of attendees far exceeding the venue's capacity, descended into chaos when some supporters tried to approach Vijay's bus, leading to fainting and panic amid sweltering temperatures. Vijay paused his speech upon noticing the crisis and urged calm while calling for medical assistance, but the tragedy still unfolded rapidly. Authorities have launched an investigation, with Tamil Nadu's government promising compensation to victims' families and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing condolences and sorrow over the incident. The rally was part of Vijay's political campaign ahead of the 2026 state elections, where he aims to challenge the ruling DMK and BJP. Crowd stampedes at large events remain a recurring issue in India, highlighting ongoing concerns about crowd control and safety measures.