Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said he is "deeply saddened" over the "tragic" stampede at actor-politician Vijay's rally.

Several videos taken at the site of actor-politician Vijay's rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur showed the tragic moment when some people began to fall in the crowd before the situation developed into a stampede.

At least 39 people, including nine children and 17 women, were killed and 46 were injured in the stampede while Vijay, the chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), was addressing them from a campaign bus.

In some of the videos, people were seen screaming for help as they climbed on top of one another to breathe. Some children sat on the shoulders of adults, likely their parents, as they watched Vijay's bus approach from a distance - minutes away from the tragedy.

As the crowd swelled and people started getting suffocated because of the heat and overcrowding, Vijay stopped his speech and started throwing bottles of water at the crowd to help, videos showed.

Tamil Nadu DGP G Venkataraman, while addressing the media, said that actor-politician Vijay arrived at the venue after a delay of seven hours. The TVK party chief was supposed to arrive at the venue at 12 pm.

"Permission was sought between 3 pm and 10 pm. The TVK Twitter account said he would come at 12 pm and the crowd started coming in from 11 am. He came at 7.40 pm. The people lacked sufficient food and water under the hot sun. Our intention is not to blame anyone, but we are just stating the facts," he said.

The number of people who died in a stampede at actor-turned-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay's rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur has swollen to 39. This includes 13 men, 17 women, 4 boys and 5 girls.

Former Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji:

"To know the details about the people affected in the unexpected accident that occurred in Karur, the emergency assistance center numbers of the Karur District Collector Office to contact.

#DOT 04324 256306

#Watsapp 7010806322"

The police have registered a case against Muthiyazhagan, the Karur district secretary of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, after deadly stampede at party chief Vijay's rally. 

"Deeply saddened by the tragic incident at a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, that has taken so many precious lives. My heart goes out to their loved ones, and I wish a swift recovery to all those injured. I urge Congress workers and leaders to extend every possible support to the victims and their families, and to work closely with the authorities in relief and rescue efforts," said Rahul Gandhi.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday condoled the loss of lives in a stampede at a political rally in Karur in Tamil Nadu.

Mr Kharge said he was deeply distressed by the unfortunate and tragic stampede at a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, which claimed the lives of several innocent people.

"We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. We pray for the swift recovery of the injured. I urge all Congress workers to provide every possible assistance to the victims and their families and work alongside the authorities in relief and prompt medical assistance," he said in a post on X.

Priyanka Gandhi extended condolences to the families of the victims.

"Heartbroken by the tragic stampede in Karur, TN. My thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy. May they find strength in this difficult time, and may the injured recover soon. I urge all Congress workers in the region to promptly assist the injured and support the families and authorities in relief efforts," she said in a post on X.

"I am writhing in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow that words cannot express. I extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of my dear brothers and sisters who lost their lives in Karur. I pray for the swift recovery of those receiving treatment in the hospital," says actor Vijay, hours after stampede breaks out at his rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur. 

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said in a statement that 36 people, including eight children and 16 women, died in a stampede at actor Vijay's rally in Karur today. The Chief Minister has announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to the victims' families. 

Union Home Ministry seeks a report from Tamil Nadu government on stampede at Vijay's rally in Karur: News agency PTI 

"Deeply saddened by tragic loss of lives in a stampede in Karur, Tamil Nadu. My deepest condolences are with the families of the deceased. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured," said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. 

"Anguished to know about the tragic loss of lives in a stampede-like unfortunate incident in Karur district of Tamil Nadu. I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for early recovery of those injured," said President Droupadi Murmu in a statement. 

A massive tragedy unfolded at Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay's rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur district, where 34 people were killed in a stampede.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed deepest condolences on the lives lost in the stampede during TVK chief and actor Vijay's public rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur. He wished for the speedy recovery of people injured in the incident.

"My heart trembles. The news coming from Karur brings shock and sorrow. I am at a loss for words to express my deepest condolences to the innocent people who lost their lives trapped in the crowd congestion. I urge the Tamil Nadu government to ensure that those rescued from the congestion receive proper treatment and that those affected receive appropriate relief," writes actor-politician Kamal Haasan.

"The tragic incident at a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. May they find the strength to bear this irreparable loss. Prayers for the speedy recovery of all those injured," former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy said. 

"Deeply pained and anguished by the tragic loss of innocent lives, including children, during a political rally in Karur. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families in this time of grief and prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured," Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi said.  

"Tragic stampede incident at Karur rally The stampede at the rally led by actor, TVK  @TVKVijayHQ party president Shri Vijay in Karur, Tamil Nadu state, is tragic. I am shocked to learn that, according to preliminary information, 33 people have died in this accident. The fact that six children are among the deceased is heartbreaking. I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. I urge the Tamil Nadu government to provide better medical care to the injured," said Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party Leader Pawan Kalyan in a statement. 

The visuals of the parents holding on to their children are "so so disturbing", said DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai as 20 people were feared dead in a crowd crush at TVK chief Vijay's rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur district.

"Deeply pained by the tragic loss of lives in a stampede in Karur, Tamil Nadu. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. I pray to the Almighty to give them the strength to bear this grief and for the speedy recovery of the injured," writes Home Minister Amit Shah on X. 

Former Tamil Nadu Minister and DMK leader V Senthil Balaji arrived at Government Medical College and Hospital, Karur.

He said, "Till now, 31 people have died in the stampede and 58 people have been admitted. After the stampede incident, the CM immediately enquired and ordered the district collector, SP, and me to rush to the hospital, advising us to call extra doctors and provide proper treatment...Tomorrow, the Chief Minister is going to come here himself. As of now, 46 persons are in private hospital, and 12 persons are admitted in a government hospital for treatment."

Former Tamil Nadu minister Senthil Balaji said today that at least 31 people have died in the stampede at actor Vijay's rally. 

"Additional doctors from Namakkal and Salem are on the way. Adequate medicines are ensured," he added. 

"The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Wishing strength to them in this difficult time. Praying for a swift recovery to all those injured," Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X. 

Chief Minister MK Stalin has directed that assistance be provided on a war footing.

"The news that more than 29 people lost their lives and several others fainted and are receiving treatment in the hospital due to the crowd chaos during the campaign meeting of the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam party held in Karur, where its leader Vijay spoke, is both shocking and distressing.  I express my deepest condolences and regret to the families of those who lost their lives," Tamil Nadu LoP and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tweets.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expected to visit Karur tomorrow, where several persons, who took part in Vijay's rally are feared dead, reports news agency PTI.

"We are trying to find the number of casualties and how this happened. Five hundred people are already there; we are sending 300 more for rescue efforts," said Davidson Devasirvatham, ADGP, Tamil Nadu Police, told NDTV.

Ministers, top officials, police officers rush to Karur, where several persons are feared dead after fainting at Vijay's overcrowded rally, reports news agency PTI. 

Twenty people including children are feared dead in a stampede during actor-politician Vijay's rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur today, officials at a local hospital said.

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin, in a social media post, took note of the situation in Karur.

"The news coming from Karur is worrying. I have contacted Minister @V_Senthilbalaji, Honourable Minister @Subramanian_Ma

and the District Collector to provide immediate treatment to the civilians who have fainted due to the crowd and have been admitted to the hospital. I have also ordered the Minister from the nearby Trichy district

@Anbil_Mahesh to provide necessary assistance on a war footing. I have also spoken to the ADGP there to take steps to improve the situation as soon as possible. I request the public to cooperate with the doctors and the police," his post read.