At least 39 people were killed and dozens injured Saturday at a political campaign rally in southern India, officials said.
Tens of thousands of people attended the rally held by Vijay, a popular actor who founded his own political party last year. Footage showed him giving a speech from the roof of a campaign bus, and authorities said people overturned as they tried to get closer to the vehicle and became trapped.
Reuters reported that Vijay allegedly threw water bottles at fainting supporters from the roof of his vehicle and called for police help. The actor said in a statement that his “heart is broken.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the event “terribly sad.” Deadly crushes at large gatherings are more common in India; in January, 30 people were killed during the Maha Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious pilgrimage.
