Kolkata: At least 17 people died and 25 others were injured in a stampede-like situation at a Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening, according to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. One of the injured was reported to be in critical condition.
The incident occurred at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal, located off Chittaranjan Avenue, as a large crowd gathered outside the venue. Seventeen people were brought dead to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, Adhikari said.
According to a police officer, an announcement by the puja organisers triggered a rush among devotees and visitors waiting outside the pandal. When rain began, people reportedly surged forward, and some fell onto the road, leading to the stampede-like situation.
The circumstances surrounding the incident were being addressed by the authorities, while disaster management personnel were deployed at the site.
What Caused The Stampede-Like Situation In Kolkata?
The crowd had gathered outside the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal when an announcement by the organisers reportedly prompted people to move forward.
The situation worsened when it started raining. According to a police officer, people waiting outside rushed towards the pandal, and some fell on the road, triggering a crush in the crowd.
The incident resulted in multiple casualties and injuries. Authorities deployed disaster management personnel to assist with the response.
PM Modi Announces Rs 2 Lakh Ex Gratia For Families
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as extremely distressing and announced financial assistance for the families of those killed and the injured.
Under the announcement, the next of kin of each deceased person will receive Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. Those injured in the incident will receive Rs 50,000 each.
In a post on X, Modi expressed condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and wished those injured a speedy recovery. He also said the local administration was providing assistance to those affected.
The Prime Minister said the West Bengal government was extending all possible help to the affected families.
Suvendu Adhikari, Senior Officials Visit Hospital
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal visited the state-run Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, where the injured were taken for treatment.
Health Minister Saradwat Mukherjee and other senior officials also reached the hospital to review the situation and the medical care being provided.
The authorities were coordinating relief efforts as information about the casualties and the condition of the injured emerged.
Amit Shah Postpones Bengal Programmes
Union Home Minister Amit Shah postponed his scheduled programmes in West Bengal for Sunday following the incident. He said he would visit the hospital to meet the injured.
In a post on X, Shah said he had spoken with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari after receiving news of the casualties at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal.
Shah said arrangements were being made to ensure the injured received the best possible medical treatment. He also expressed hope that those injured would recover quickly.
Mamata Banerjee Expresses Grief
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was deeply shocked and saddened by the incident.
In her message, Banerjee prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured and expressed solidarity with the families affected by the tragedy.
The incident occurred during the Durga Puja celebrations, when large numbers of people visit pandals across Kolkata. The deaths and injuries at Chorbagan have brought crowd management and safety arrangements at crowded festival venues into focus.
