Kolkata Durga Puja stampede leaves 19 dead, several injured; organisers among 7 arrested

PTC News Desk: Seven people, including members of the organising committee, have been arrested in connection with a stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata that killed at least 19 people and injured around 25 others on Saturday evening, October 17.

The incident occurred at around 7:40 pm at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal amid heavy crowds and rain. Reports suggest that part of the temporary structure may have collapsed under the pressure of the crowd.

Police registered a case and initially detained nearly a dozen people as part of the investigation. An officer said the detainees were being questioned to determine the cause of the incident and that action would be taken if any negligence was found. Seven people were subsequently arrested.

The injured were taken to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Police, firefighters and disaster management teams were deployed at the site, and the pandal was later closed to visitors.

According to Kolkata Police, the stampede took place near the exit gate of the Sarada Park (Chor Bagan) Durga Puja pandal, which falls under the Girish Park police station area. Large numbers of devotees had gathered despite the rain.

Puja committee members resign

Jayanta Banerjee, general secretary of the Chorbagan Durga Puja Committee, resigned from his position following the tragedy. Other office-bearers of the committee also confirmed that they had stepped down.

West Bengal minister Umesh Rai said all state government programmes scheduled for Sunday had been cancelled. These included a previously scheduled meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

An eyewitness told news agency ANI that several people fainted during the rush and were taken away on motorcycles.

Another eyewitness said the entrance and exit gates were narrow and the area did not have proper lighting. The eyewitness added that their daughter and granddaughter had been admitted to hospital after the incident.

The West Bengal government has also set up a toll-free helpline, 18003455678, to assist people affected by the tragedy.

Leaders visit hospital, announce assistance

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal visited Calcutta Medical College and Hospital after the incident was reported. West Bengal Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee also met the injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the family of each person who died. Those injured will receive Rs 50,000 each.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi described the incident as heartbreaking and expressed condolences to the victims’ families. He called for immediate medical treatment for the injured and a fair investigation. He also urged Congress workers to help with relief efforts.

West Bengal Governor RN Ravi expressed sorrow over the loss of lives, offered condolences to the bereaved families and wished those injured a speedy recovery.