NEW DELHI (AP) — A stampede at a rally for a popular Indian actor and politician in the southern state of Tamil Nadu killed at least 36 people and injured 40 others, the state’s health minister said late Saturday.

Ma Subramanian told The Associated Press that the victims were dead by the time they were taken to a hospital and that the injured were stable. The dead included eight children, Subramanian said.

The rally was being addressed by Vijay, one of Tamil Nadu’s most successful actors, in the district of Karur. Tens of thousands had gathered at the rally, for which Vijay arrived hours late, officials said.

Indian media reports, quoting local officials, said the stampede was triggered when a group of Vijay’s supporters fell while trying to get close to his bus.

Quoting officials, the

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