19 killed in Kolkata Durga Puja pandal stampede, 25 injured
Collected Photo
At least 19 people, including 13 women and one child, died and 25 others suffered injuries in a stampede at the Sarada Park (Chor Bagan) Durga Puja Pandal in North Kolkata, India on Saturday evening.
The crush occurred around 7:40 pm on the seventh day of the 10-day Durga Puja festival, under the Girish Park Police Station jurisdiction as massive crowds gathered amid heavy rain.
In an official evening statement, Kolkata Police said, “Today (17/10/26), at around 19:40 hrs, a stampede occurred at the exit gate of the Sarada Park (Chor Bagan) Puja Pandal in the Girish Park Police Station area due to heavy crowds of pandal visitors amid rain. All injured persons were rescued and taken to MCH (Medical College and Hospital).”
Authorities immediately shut the venue. Police added, “Reinforcements from the Control Room, Fire Brigade, Kolkata Police, DMG team and ambulances with medical teams were deployed. The Puja Pandal is now closed to visitors.”
Doctors at Medical College and Hospital (MCH) reported that eight of the injured remain in critical condition. Law enforcement officers detained 12 people, including organizers of the Chorebagan Durga Puja.
Immediately following the crush, organizers halted entry and shut off the lights. A witness told news agency ANI that numerous visitors lost consciousness, while another witness blamed narrow gates and darkness, saying, “The entrance was very narrow, and the exit gate was also narrow. There was no lighting in the area.... My daughter and granddaughter are hospitalized.”
Meanwhile, news agency IANS quoted Puja organizer Bikash Das, who said, “It is not clear as of now how this incident happened. For now, our emphasis is on rescue work, and our primary task is to take the injured to the hospital. Police personnel, along with teams from the State Fire Services and State Disaster Management Department, are on the spot. It is not clear whether the victims were trampled under crowd pressure or not.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal inspected the hospital. In a video statement, the Chief Minister declared, “We will check the CCTV footage to see if the crowd was being properly controlled. We will determine who is responsible: the organising committee, the police, private security, or anyone else. There’s no question of sparing anyone.”
Chief Minister Adhikari announced a high-level committee to review safety at major pandals statewide, alongside Rs 25 lakh and a Group D government job for each victim’s family.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the tragedy extremely distressing, announcing interim compensation of Rs 2 lakh for families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for each injured person.
Posting on X, Modi wrote, “The stampede in Kolkata is extremely distressing. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is visiting West Bengal, postponed his political events scheduled for Sunday to visit the injured. He posted on X, “I have just received the extremely distressing news of multiple casualties after the stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal. I have spoken with Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari about this matter.
“I pray for the peace of the souls of those who have lost their lives in this tragic accident and extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family members. The administration is making arrangements for the best possible medical treatment for the injured. I am postponing all my scheduled programs in West Bengal tomorrow to visit the injured in the hospital. I pray to Ma Durga that all the injured individuals recover swiftly.”
Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge expressed deep grief, adding, “Deeply anguished by the tragic stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, which has claimed several precious lives. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.
‘I urge the West Bengal Government to ensure immediate rescue and medical assistance, adequate compensation to the families of the deceased and the injured, and a thorough investigation to prevent such tragedies in the future. I appeal to all Congress leaders and workers to extend every possible assistance to those affected during this difficult hour.”
Former Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock on X, writing, “Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the stampede at the Chore Bagan Puja Pandal. I pray to Maa Durga for the speedy recovery of all those injured and for strength and courage for their families during this difficult time.”
Source: NDTV (adapted)
