17 Killed, 25 Injured in Stampede at Kolkata Durga Puja Pandal

KOLKATA, Oct 17: At least 17 people were killed and 25 others injured in a stampede-like incident at a Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said.

One of the injured was reported to be in critical condition. The victims were taken to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, where 17 people were declared dead on arrival, according to the chief minister.

Adhikari visited the hospital following the incident and said an announcement made by the organisers of the community Durga Puja at Chorbagan, near Chittaranjan Avenue, triggered a sudden rush among devotees.

According to a police officer, heavy rain prompted people waiting outside the pandal to move forward in large numbers. Several people reportedly fell onto the road amid the surge, resulting in the deadly incident.

Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal accompanied the chief minister to the state-run hospital, where the injured were receiving treatment. Health Minister Saradwat Mukherjee and other senior officials also reached the facility to assess the situation and oversee medical arrangements.

Disaster management personnel were deployed at the site to assist with emergency operations and help manage the situation.

The incident triggered an outpouring of grief across the state, with former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressing shock over the tragedy.

In a statement, Banerjee said she was deeply saddened by the incident and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured. She also extended her wishes for strength and courage to the families affected by the tragedy during the difficult period.

The incident has once again highlighted the importance of crowd management and adequate safety arrangements at large religious gatherings, particularly during festival celebrations that draw substantial numbers of devotees.