Dozens killed in crushing during the political rally at Tamil Nadu

At least 36 people died, including children, in a crush during a political rally in the state of southern India in Tamil Nadu, according to state officials.

Tens of thousands of people gathered on Saturday during a campaign event for the actor who became a politician Vijay, in the south of the Karur district.

It was delayed several hours, local media reported. The images broadcast on television have shown that people will vanish in the crowded crowds.

Politicians Senthil Balaji spoke to journalists outside a local hospital to confirm deaths and added that more than 50 other people had been injured.

The number of deaths includes at least 16 women, nine men and six children, said the Minister of State Health, Ma Subramanian, told local media.

The chief minister of Tamil Nadu, MK Stalin, said that some people had been transported to the hospital after passing out in the crushing. Additional aid has been requested from doctors working in neighboring districts, he added.

Compensation of one million rupees ($ 11,300; £ 8,400) will be provided to the families of the deceased, added Stalin, and there will be a survey on the incident.

In an online statement, Vijay said his heart was “broken” and that he was “indescribable and indescribable pain and pain”.

He sent his “deeper sympathies and condolences” to the families of those who died and pray for a “rapid recovery” to those of the hospital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the incident was “unhappy” and “deeply sad”, in a post on X.

Mortal crushing is not uncommon in India, and there have been several similar incidents this year, notably at the famous Hindu Festival in Kumbh Mela and outside a cricket stadium.