Postmortem findings cited in the Chorbagan stampede investigation indicate that most of the 19 people who died at a festival pavilion in Kolkata succumbed to asphyxia, while at least six suffered broken ribs that penetrated their lungs under the pressure of the crowd.
The findings were reported after the bodies were examined following the disaster during the festival celebrations. According to the report, seven victims suffered asphyxia along with injuries to multiple organs. Other victims had broken limbs, brain haemorrhages and multiple injury marks, indicating the force generated inside the overcrowded pavilion.
The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday evening after rain began at around 7.40 pm. The crowd reportedly surged towards the exit gate as visitors attempted to leave the pavilion. The gate was narrow and became obstructed, increasing pressure inside the venue and triggering the crush, according to the preliminary account cited in the report.
The postmortem findings provide a medical account of how the crowd pressure affected the victims. In at least six cases, the force was sufficient to fracture ribs and drive the broken bones into the lungs. In most of the other cases, the reports indicated death by suffocation, alongside fractures and other serious injuries.
Police have arrested seven people in connection with the incident so far, according to the report. The arrests come as investigators examine the conditions at the venue, including the narrow exit and the movement of visitors during the rainfall. The supplied report does not identify the specific charges or provide details of the individuals arrested.
The state government has announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh for each deceased person’s family and Rs 5 lakh for those injured. The Chief Minister also announced that one member of each deceased person’s family would be offered a government job, according to the report.
Following the disaster, the state has decided to prohibit VIP passes at major festival pavilions and require visitors to enter through a single queue, the report said. The decision was announced after a meeting at Bhabanibhavan, with the Chief Minister saying that measures were being taken in response to the incident.
The government has also decided to scale down a state-sponsored Bijoya Sammilani scheduled for October 26. Festival committees are expected to attend the programme, where tributes will be paid to those who died and financial assistance will be handed to injured people, according to the report.
