A stampede-like incident at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata on Saturday evening left 17 people dead and about 35 injured, according to information cited from hospital and police sources. The injured were taken to Kolkata Medical College and Hospital, while some were later shifted to SSKM Hospital.
The incident occurred during heavy rain as large crowds gathered to enter the pandal on Saptami evening. According to eyewitness accounts cited in the report, people waiting outside moved inside to escape the rain, creating pressure at the entrance. A scuffle and pushing reportedly began between visitors already inside and those attempting to enter.
Preliminary information indicated that the crowd pressure intensified inside a circular elevated corridor constructed within the pandal. Several people fell as the crowd moved through the area, according to police sources. About 35 injured visitors were taken to hospital for treatment.
Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari visited Kolkata Medical College and Hospital after receiving information about the incident and spoke to reporters about the reported death toll. Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand also reached the hospital to review the situation. The administration was examining the circumstances that led to the crowd surge.
The pandal’s organisers said they did not yet have clarity on how the incident occurred and that their immediate priority was to ensure that the injured reached hospital. Following the incident, the lights at the pandal were switched off and entry for visitors was stopped.
The Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durgotsav Committee’s theme for this year’s puja was ‘Arab’, described as ‘Beyond Sound’. The committee is headed by BJP legislator Vijay Ojha. The administration has begun examining the crowd-management and access conditions at the venue, while officials issued a toll-free helpline, 18003455678, for information.
The reported deaths and injuries have placed the focus on the management of visitor movement inside a heavily attended temporary public structure during severe weather. The incident took place amid a surge in footfall and difficult conditions caused by rain, according to the accounts cited in the report. Further official details on the investigation and the final number of casualties were awaited.
