Karur stampede: A visual timeline

7:20 p.m. Mr. Vijay begins his speech at the designated spot for his public address at Velusamypuram in Karur.

By this time, incidents of fainting and complaints of water shortage are reported.

An ambulance passes through the crowd, which Vijay acknowledges in his speech.

He throws water bottles from his van and instructs a team member to check on a person in
distress.

At one point, he announces on his microphone that a nine-year-old girl is reported missing and asks the party cadre to help find her.

7:40 p.m. After a 15-minute address, Mr. Vijay concludes his speech. The overall presence of the actor-turned-politician on the vehicle was for about 19 minutes. He then leaves immediately.

9:30 p.m. Initial confirmation of 33 deaths is reported. It includes 7
children, 17 women and nine men.

9:45 p.m. Karur Town police register an FIR against TVK
functionaries for violations while conducting the rally.

N. Anand General secretary

V.P. Mathiyazhagan Karur West district secretary

C.T.R. Nirmal KumarJoint general secretary

M.C. PounrajKarur Central town secretary

9:50 p.m. Vijay reaches Tiruchi International
Airport and leaves
without addressing the journalists gathered outside.

10:57 p.m.Talking to social media, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announces the new constitution of one-woman commission under retired Justice Aruna Jagadeesan to probe the stampede. He also announces solatium of ₹10 lakh each for the families of the deceased and ₹1 lakh each for the injured.

11:15 p.m.Reacting after reaching Chennai, Mr. Vijay in a post on X, calls the tragedy “an irreparable loss” and states no words of comfort can truly ease the pain of losing loved ones. He announces a compensation of ₹20 lakh each to the bereaved families and ₹2 lakh to those injured.

The aftermath

September 28, 2025 (Sunday)

After the rally, the road was covered with torn slippers and party
flags, while roadside structures were found damaged.

Wrecked tin roof

Slippers, torn party flags

3 am Chief Minister Mr. Stalin rushes from Chennai, taking a flight to Tiruchi and then travelling to Karur on road. He visits the injured at Karur Government Medical College Hospital and briefs journalists on the situation.

8.30 a.m. AIADMK general secretary and the Leader of Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami meets the injured at the hospital in Karur.

One-woman commission under retired Justice Aruna Jagadeesan commences
its inquiry on Sunday.

Credits
Text: Nacchinarkkiniyan M.,
Frontend code:
Godhashri S, Pictures and videos: M.
Moorthy, R. Vengadesh, Reuters