The Chorbagan pandal accident in Kolkata injured 35 people on the evening of Saptami after part of an entrance gate reportedly collapsed under pressure from a crowd seeking shelter from heavy rain. The pandal has been temporarily closed to visitors while police and disaster-management officials examine the damaged entrance.
According to Sangbad Pratidin, the injured people were rescued and taken to Kolkata Medical College and Hospital. Police and disaster-management personnel reached the venue after the incident and joined the rescue operation. The report said the situation briefly resembled a stampede, although the available information does not confirm any deaths.
West Bengal’s government has opened a toll-free helpline, 18003455678, to provide information about the incident. The report said Chief Minister Shuvendu Adhikari and Health Minister Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay visited Kolkata Medical College after learning about the accident. Police said 35 injured people had been admitted to the hospital.
The incident occurred after heavy rain in Kolkata and adjoining areas drew more visitors into the pandal. The report said rain had begun again in the evening, prompting people outside to move towards the covered space. The resulting pressure on two gates is reported to have caused part of one entrance to collapse.
The Chorbagan Sarbojanin pandal had reportedly attracted large crowds after videos of its decorations circulated widely on social media. The popularity of the venue increased visitor numbers during the festival, adding to the pressure on entry and exit arrangements. The report attributed the initial assessment about the gate collapse to police.
Officials have closed the Chorbagan pandal to visitors while the entrance is inspected. The entrance that collapsed is being examined as part of the immediate response, and the venue will remain unavailable to the public until the authorities determine that it is safe. The report also said the gates of another prominent Kolkata puja venue, Tridhara Sammilani, were temporarily closed.
The incident highlights the operational risks faced by temporary festival venues when large crowds, severe weather and restricted access points converge. For visitors, safety depends not only on the structural condition of a pandal but also on the ability of organisers and authorities to regulate movement, manage shelter-seeking crowds and keep emergency routes open.
The next steps are the inspection of the damaged entrance, continued treatment of those admitted to Kolkata Medical College and the release of further information through the government helpline. The pandal’s reopening will depend on the safety assessment by the authorities.
