Death toll climbs to 38 people in stampede in southern India

The death toll from a stampede at a political rally in southern India on Saturday climbed to 38, with women and children making up most of the victims, according to media reports. The accident occurred at a rally for the film actor Vijay, who heads a political party founded last year.

Local media cited police as saying about 30,000 people had gathered, and the stampede happened when people approached a vehicle prepared for Vijay to deliver a speech. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the loss of lives, calling the incident "deeply saddening" in a post.