Security has been stepped up at actor-politician Vijay’s residence in Chennai after a stampede at his rally in Karur left 39 dead and over a 100 injured, sources in the Tamil Nadu government have said.

A 16-year-old girl was was rescued allegedly after she was kidnapped, kept hostage for six months and raped multiple times over the period, police said on Saturday.

A stampede at a TVK rally in Karur was intensified by blocked escape routes due to hoardings and ropes, which also fell and injured attendees. An unexpectedly large crowd, including people from distant districts, led to chaos, trapping many and causing fatalities. The situation worsened when a bakery roof, used for rescue, collapsed.