The Kolkata pandal stampede that killed 19 people during Durga Puja celebrations is being investigated by the city police, who are examining whether crowd-management lapses, confusion over entry and exit routes, and heavy rain contributed to the surge at the Chorbagan pandal on Saturday evening.
The incident occurred on October 17, the day of Maha Saptami, after a large number of visitors reportedly took shelter inside the pandal as rain intensified. Police said they are examining the arrangements at the venue, crowd-control measures and the response of organisers and authorities during the emergency.
Several eyewitnesses alleged that announcements about entry, exit and crowd movement were inadequate, leaving visitors confused during the rush. Local residents also claimed that police deployment was insufficient and that personnel were concentrated mainly near the VIP entrance.
“I have not seen adequate police presence this year. This resulted in the mismanagement,” Sanghamitra Bhowmik, a resident of the Chorbagan area, told PTI. Locals also alleged that administrative assistance in moving injured people to hospitals was limited immediately after the incident.
A senior police officer said the investigation would examine whether there were lapses by the organisers or whether rules governing the construction and management of the pandal had been violated. “There must be some lapses, but these should be probed. Whether lapses were on the part of the organisers or they had flouted the rules to erect the pandal will be checked,” the officer said.
A forensic team reached the pandal late at night and began collecting evidence from the site. Kolkata Police officers are questioning the organisers and have sought the list of security guards and other personnel engaged to manage the crowd. Investigators are also examining CCTV footage and speaking to police officers posted at the venue to establish what happened during the incident.
According to family members of two of the deceased, private security guards blew whistles, triggering a rush among visitors. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said an announcement was made over a microphone asking people to leave the pandal because the structure could collapse. The chief minister, who visited the hospital, also urged organisers to follow official safety advice, saying that many theme-based pandals are dimly lit to support their designs.
The competition among Durga Puja organisers to create increasingly elaborate theme-based structures has made crowd movement, lighting, access routes and emergency planning central to public safety at major celebrations. The police investigation is examining these arrangements at the Chorbagan venue.
The injured were admitted to the emergency department of Kolkata Medical College and Hospital, while 11 patients were shifted to SSKM Hospital, according to hospital sources. A source at the medical college said 13 women and a child were among the deceased. Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nanda also visited the hospital.
The West Bengal Government has established a toll-free helpline, 18003455678, for people seeking information about those affected. Police said eyewitness accounts, CCTV footage and other evidence would be examined as part of the investigation.
