The death toll in the Kolkata Durga Puja stampede rose to 19 on October 17 after panic broke out at the exit of the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal during heavy rain and a rush of visitors. The West Bengal government has announced a probe under a sitting Calcutta High Court judge, while Kolkata Police have detained 12 people, including organisers and volunteers.
The incident occurred at around 7.40 p.m. at the north Kolkata pandal, which had drawn large crowds for its ‘Arava’ theme. According to the police, the crowd surged near the exit gate amid heavy visitor movement and rain. Many people had taken shelter inside the pandal after the weather deteriorated.
The State government said 17 people were brought dead to Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. A child died at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, while another person died while being taken to a private healthcare facility. Doctors said 13 of the deceased were women, three were men and one was a child. Two of those killed were from Bihar.
Preliminary reports cited in the investigation indicate that an announcement was made over a microphone asking people to leave the pandal because the structure could collapse. Private security personnel allegedly blew whistles, adding to the panic. The police have obtained CCTV footage from the venue and are examining the conduct of those responsible for crowd management.
The State government has announced compensation of ₹25 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased person, along with a job for one member of every bereaved family. Those injured will receive financial assistance of ₹5 lakh. Around 24 people were injured, and several were shifted to private healthcare facilities.
The Chief Minister said the police had granted permission for the pandal and that the circumstances leading to the incident would be investigated. The government also plans to constitute a Special Investigation Team under the supervision of a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court. Police action will follow the CCTV review and questioning of the detained organisers and volunteers, officials said.
The pandal has been closed after the incident. Union Home Minister Amit Shah cancelled his scheduled programmes in Kolkata and was expected to visit the injured. The State government has urged organisers of other Durga Puja venues to maintain adequate safety arrangements and lighting as the festival continues until October 21.
According to the West Bengal government, around 57,400 Durga Pujas are being organised across the State this year. The judicial probe, the police investigation and the CCTV review are the next official steps in determining how crowd movement, emergency communication and exit management contributed to the incident.
