Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, Oct 18: At least 18 people were killed and 25 others injured in a stampede at the Chorebagan Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening, October 17, amid heavy rain and lightning.
The incident occurred around 7 pm when a large crowd gathered outside the community Durga Puja pandal near Chittaranjan Avenue. The injured were rushed to the state-run Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, where one of them was reported to be in critical condition, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said.
According to the Chief Minister, an announcement by the puja organisers triggered a sudden rush among visitors, leading to the tragic incident. A senior police officer said that as rain began, people waiting outside the pandal rushed forward, causing several people to fall and triggering the stampede.
However, several visitors alleged that inadequate safety arrangements and poor crowd management by the Kolkata Police contributed to the tragedy.
The Chief Minister, along with Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal, visited the hospital to assess the situation and meet the injured. Adhikari said six of the deceased had been identified by Saturday night and that arrangements were being made to bring their family members to the hospital.
"Fact-finding will be done, and steps will be taken," the Chief Minister said.
The officials of the Chorebagan Durga Puja organising club, private security guards and officials on duty were detained in connection with the incident, Adhikari said.
Following the tragedy, the administration advised several popular Durga Puja organisers to temporarily close their pandals to prevent further crowding and ensure public safety. Kolkata has nearly 3,500 pandals set up for the Durga Puja celebrations.
The West Bengal government also launched a toll-free helpline for people seeking information about the incident. The public can call 18003455678 for assistance.
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and several other leaders expressed grief over the loss of lives.
In a post on X in Hindi, President Murmu described the deaths as extremely tragic and conveyed her deepest condolences to the bereaved families. She also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep distress over the incident and announced financial assistance from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.
An ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh will be provided to the next of kin of each deceased, while those injured will receive Rs 50,000.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said he had spoken to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari regarding the incident. He expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and prayed for the peace of their souls and the recovery of the injured.
In view of the tragedy, Shah cancelled his programmes scheduled in West Bengal on Sunday. He was expected to visit the hospital to meet those injured in the stampede.
Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock and sadness over the stampede at the Chorbagan puja pandal.
"Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the stampede at the Chorbagan 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," she said.
West Bengal Governor RN Ravi also expressed sorrow over the loss of lives.
"Deeply saddened by the loss of precious lives in the stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief. Praying for the swift recovery of the injured," he said.
Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh termed the incident unfortunate and urged the police and hospital authorities to ensure immediate medical assistance for all the injured.
He called for additional doctors and medical staff to be deployed at the hospital, stressing that the immediate priority was to save lives and provide treatment to those in critical condition. Ghosh said determining the exact cause of the incident could wait until the injured had received adequate medical care.
The tragedy has raised serious concerns over crowd management and safety arrangements at major Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata, which attract thousands of visitors during the festival.