Post-mortem findings in the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal stampede in Kolkata have attributed the deaths of 18 of the 19 victims to severe chest compression, breathing obstruction and rib injuries, while the remaining victim died from a serious head injury and internal brain haemorrhage, according to a report by Sanmarg – Kolkata.
The report said 11 people died from traumatic asphyxia, a condition in which sustained pressure on the chest prevents normal breathing. Seven others died after their ribs were fractured and caused severe damage to the lungs. The 19th victim suffered a serious head injury, with internal bleeding in the brain and injuries to the skull.
The findings were based on post-mortem examinations conducted after the stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal. According to officials cited in the report, 18 bodies were examined at the police mortuary of Kolkata Medical College, while one post-mortem was conducted at NRS Hospital.
A team of five forensic medicine specialists completed the examinations, the report said. The findings provide a medical account of how crowd pressure and physical trauma caused the fatalities during the incident.
Traumatic asphyxia can occur when a person is trapped in a tightly packed crowd and sustained pressure on the chest restricts the movement needed for breathing. In such conditions, victims may be unable to expand their lungs or escape the pressure around them. The report attributed the deaths of 11 victims to this mechanism.
The injuries recorded in the seven other cases indicate the force exerted within the crowd was sufficient to fracture ribs and cause life-threatening lung damage. The separate case involving head trauma shows that the incident also resulted in serious impact injuries.
The post-mortem process was carried out through Kolkata Medical College and Hospital and NRS Hospital, with forensic specialists examining the bodies. The report did not provide further details on the crowd-control arrangements, the number of people present at the pandal or any administrative findings related to the incident.
The medical findings are expected to form part of the official record concerning the deaths. Further action and any conclusions regarding crowd management or responsibility would depend on investigations and statements from the authorities handling the case.
