At least 36 people killed at rally for Indian actor Vijay

At least 36 people have been killed and dozens injured during a stampede at a campaign rally for actor-turned-politician Vijay - a huge star in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Ma Subramanian, the state's health minister, said at least 40 people were injured at the event and that eight children were among the dead. Vijay, one of Tamil cinema's biggest actors for three decades, has drawn massive crowds to his public meetings since launching his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in 2024.

A video posted to his social media last month showed the scale of his rallies. Indian media reports, quoting local officials, said Saturday's stampede was triggered when a group of Vijay's supporters and fans fell while trying to get close to his bus.

Footage also showed Vijay throwing water bottles from the top of the vehicle to fainting supporters during the rally, and calling for police help when the crowd became uncontrollable. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X: "The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening." In a post on social media following the incident, Vijay said his "heart is shattered".

"I extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of my dear brothers and sisters who lost their lives in Karur," he added. "I pray for the swift recovery of those receiving treatment in the hospital." Stampedes are relatively common in India when large crowds gather.

In June, at least 11 people died after a crush outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium after a cricket team won their first Indian Premier League (IPL) title. It is also not the first time Vijay's rallies have faced safety concerns, with at least six deaths reported after the first meeting of his political party when it was launched in October last year..