Actor and TVK chief Vijay said the death of 39 people in the stampede is an irreparable loss and no words of comfort can truly ease the pain of losing loved ones. He also announced a solatium of ₹20 lakh each to the families of those who lost their lives and ₹2 lakh each to those who were injured and undergoing treatment
| Photo Credit: M. Moorthy
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay on Sunday (September 28, 2025) said the death of 39 people, including children, in a stampede at his party’s rally in Karur on September 27 as an irreparable loss and no words of comfort can truly ease the pain of losing loved ones. He also announced ₹20 lakh would be given to the families of each of those who died and ₹2 lakh to those injured and undergoing treatment.
In a post on X, Mr. Vijay described the incident as beyond imagination and heartrending. “In this moment of unbearable grief, as we mourn the loss of our dear ones, I struggle to find words to express the pain I feel. My eyes and heart are filled with anguish. The faces of all of you whom I met [at Karur] keep flashing across my mind,” he said.
Mr Vijay had returned to Chennai from Karur after the meeting last night. At the Tiruchi airport, he did not respond to questions from journalists about the human tragedy.
In Pictures: Stampede at Vijay’s TVK rally in Karur
Emergency personnel quickly rush an injured person from the scene in Karur to the Karur General Hospital, on September 27, 2025.
Chappals strewn across the ground are visible in the aftermath of a stampede at actor and TVK chief Vijay’s rally in Karur on September 27, 2025. At least 39 people were killed and more than 80 injured in the stampede.
Actor and TVK chief Vijay watches an ambulance trying to navigate a path through the crowd on September 27, 2025. 39 people died and over 80 people were injured, due to the stampede.
Anxious relatives gather outside the hospital where the injured were being treated after a stampede at TVK rally in Karur.
The State Government has announced a commission to be headed by retired judge Aruna Jagadeesan to probe into the circumstances that led to the stampede, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin visits the hospital to meet the injured persons. He announced a solatium of ₹10 lakh each to the families of those who died in the stampede, and ₹1 lakh for those who were injured and are being treated in hospitals.
This view shows the area of the campaign venue at Veluchamy Puram in Karur where a high number of casualties were reported.
The organisers had announced that TVK president Vijay would speak at 12 noon. The crowd began to assemble from 9 a.m., but he did not arrive at the scheduled time. The crowd slowly grew in size as the day progressed.
There were roughly less than 4,000 people by 2 p.m. The supporters, who came from different parts of Karur and nearby Erode and Coimbatore districts, began to surge around 4 p.m., after learning that Mr. Vijay was on his way to Karur after having completed a rally in Namakkal.
Many of them, including women with children, continued to wait for him in spite of the scorching sun, and some of them even skipped lunch to keep their spots. The organisers kept playing specially penned campaign songs to engage the crowd.
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin visits the hospital to enquire about the health condition of the injured, in Karur on September 28, 2025.
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami enquires an injured person at the Karur Medical College Hospital.
A view of the Karur Medical College Hospital where the injured persons have been admitted and are being treated. The Karur district administration has set up emergency helplines for those seeking information on victims of the stampede. Residents can contact the District Collectorate Emergency Control Room at 04324-256306 or via WhatsApp at 7010806322.
BJP leaders Nainar Nagendran and Tamilisai Soundararajan visit the injured admitted at the hospital, on September 28, 2025.
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Expressing condolences in his social media post, he said, “This is an irreparable loss. No words of comfort can truly ease the pain of losing our loved ones. Yet, as a member of your family, I feel it is my duty to stand by you at this time. I therefore intend to provide ₹20 lakh each to the families of those who lost their lives and ₹2 lakh each to those who were injured and undergoing treatment. Though this sum is no match for the loss, it is my duty to stand with you in this hour of grief.”
He also prayed for the speedy recovery of all the injured and assured that his party would extend full support to those undergoing treatment.
Published – September 28, 2025 11:48 am IST
