During a large gathering in a major Indian city, a sudden crush trapped thousands and claimed 36 lives while 40 others were injured. Police are probing the cause as the crowd‑control measures fail to prevent chaos.
On 27 September 2025 a stampede broke out at a political rally organized by actor and politician Vijay. The event attracted a huge crowd in a major Indian city. As people rushed to the front, a crush formed and people were unable to move, resulting in 36 deaths and 40 injuries. Police and ambulance crews worked rapidly to rescue survivors.
The investigation, still ongoing, is looking into whether insufficient crowd‑control arrangements or other factors contributed to the tragedy. Authorities are reviewing the event’s safety protocols, stage layout, and the crowd‑monitoring systems that were in place.
Vijay, who has a long career in cinema and politics, spoke to the press after the incident expressing his shock and condolence to the victims’ families. He said he was deeply saddened and is cooperating fully with the investigation.
Separately, India’s economy faces new challenges. A 50 percent tariff on Indian products that had been announced in November 2024 entered full effect on 28 August 2025, potentially affecting $48.2 million in exports. The measure targets electronic devices, medical equipment and machinery, areas where India is a major supplier. Indian officials call the tariff “a major challenge” but have stated they remain optimistic about reaching new trade agreements with the United States. The tariff has increased the risk to global supply chains and heightened tensions between the two largest economies.
In the wider context of 2025 political unrest, August saw further military and diplomatic tensions with the clash of drones over Sumy and calls from NATO leaders for increased support to Ukraine, all of which highlight the complex geopolitical environment in which this domestic tragedy occurred.