Stampede at political rally for popular actor Vijay in southern India leaves 40 dead

NEW DELHI (AP) — 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.

Ma Subramanian told The Associated Press that 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.

In southern Indian states, particularly Tamil Nadu, some film stars have larger than life status, rooted in the ancient Tamil culture of hero worship. Many have become successful politicians and some have even been given divine status.

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.



https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/stampede-at-political-rally-for-popular-actor-vijay-in-southern-india-leaves-40-dead