Stampede History in India: Major Incidents and Recent Tragedies. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin appoints a commission headed by Justice Aruna Jagadeesan (retired) to investigate the deadly stampede incident at actor-politician Vijay's rally in Karur.
Stampede History in India: 2025 Karur Political Rally Stampede
India has witnessed numerous tragic stampedes over the decades, mostly during religious gatherings, public festivals, political rallies, and mass celebrations. These stampedes have resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries, underscoring significant challenges in crowd management during large-scale events.
Historical Major Stampedes
- The 1954 Kumbh Mela Stampede in Prayagraj remains the deadliest, with nearly 800 fatalities caused by overcrowding and panic during the holy dip.
- Other notable Kumbh Mela stampedes occurred in 1986 (Haridwar), 2003 (Nashik), and 2013 (Prayagraj) with death tolls ranging from dozens to over 40.
- 2005 Wai Mandhardevi Temple Stampede in Maharashtra caused about 340 deaths, one of the deadliest temple-related disasters.
- Other tragic sites include Chamunda Devi Temple (2008), Ratnagiri Temple (2013), and various railway stations with deadly crowd crushes.
Recent Stampedes (2023-2025)
- In July 2024, around 121 people died at a prayer meeting ('satsang') in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, organized by a self-styled godman — one of the deadliest recent events.
- December 2024, a stampede at a cinema screening in Hyderabad caused 1 death and several injuries.
- January 2025, during Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, a stampede killed 30 and injured 60 pilgrims competing for the holy dip.
- February 15, 2025, 18 died in a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station while pilgrims were traveling for the Kumbh Mela.
- May 3, 2025, six died and about 100 were injured in a stampede at the Sri Lairai Devi temple festival in Goa.
- June 4, 2025, an IPL cricket victory parade in Bengaluru near Chinnaswamy Stadium turned tragic with 11 deaths due to a stampede.
The 2025 Karur Political Rally Stampede
The most recent major tragedy occurred on September 27, 2025, at a political rally held for Tamil actor-turned-politician Vijay in Karur, Tamil Nadu. Tens of thousands gathered, and during the rally, a crowd crush led to:
- At least 39 deaths, including children and women.
- Over 80 injured, many critically.
- Panic began when supporters surging near Vijay's campaign vehicle caused stampede conditions amid high temperatures and delayed arrival.
- The state government has initiated an inquiry, and compensation for victims' families was announced.
Recurrent Causes of Indian Stampedes
- Overwhelming crowd sizes during festivals, political events, or religious ceremonies.
- Sudden panic induced by rumors, structural failures, or police/authority actions.
- Inadequate crowd control and poor infrastructure at event sites.
- Narrow or blocked exit points and sudden barriers causing bottlenecks.
- Lack of timely emergency response and insufficient planning.
Current Safety Measures and Challenges
Despite improvements in crowd management protocols following major tragedies, stampedes continue to occur due to rapid urbanization, increasing population participation in events, and occasional lapses in safety enforcement. Government agencies often face challenges coordinating large-scale events with millions of participants, especially at religious congregations like Kumbh Mela.
This overview highlights the long history and recent developments in stampede incidents across India, emphasizing the persistence of this public safety issue despite ongoing efforts to mitigate it. The tragic event at Karur in 2025 is a latest reminder of the urgent need for robust crowd management and preventive measures.
