At least 17 people have died and 15 others were injured in a stampede at the Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, prompting police to stop visitors from entering the site and shut several prominent pandals across the city as a precautionary measure.
The injured were taken to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, where Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari reached after the incident. Police and senior Kolkata Police officials were deployed at the Chorebagan pandal, while the administration began coordinating medical assistance and support for the affected families.
Speaking to reporters, Adhikari said the initial input from the assistant commissioner of police present at the spot indicated that the stampede was triggered after an announcement by a private security agency and the blowing of whistles. He said members of the puja committee and security agencies had been detained, but added that he could not comment further until a proper investigation was completed.
The incident took place during the Durga Puja season, when major pandals across Kolkata draw large crowds. Following the stampede, police stopped visitors from entering the Chorebagan pandal. Several other prominent sites, including Suruchi Sangha and Chetla Agrani, were also closed to visitors as a precaution. Tala Prattoy separately announced that its pandal would remain closed until further notice.
The reported death toll changed during the live updates as authorities assessed the incident. The initial reports described at least 17 people as feared dead, while the Chief Minister later said that 17 people had died and 15 others were injured. The injured remained under treatment at Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, according to the report.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each person who died. Those injured will receive Rs. 50,000, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said he had spoken to Adhikari and that medical assistance was being provided to the injured. Shah also said he would postpone his scheduled programmes in West Bengal and visit the injured in hospital. President Droupadi Murmu expressed condolences to the families of those who died and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and CPI(M) West Bengal secretary Md Salim also expressed condolences. Gandhi and Kharge called for immediate medical care and a thorough investigation, while Kharge urged adequate compensation for the families of the deceased and injured.
The police restrictions and temporary closures have affected access to some of Kolkata’s best-known Durga Puja venues. Further details about the sequence of events, crowd movement and the responsibility of the organisers and security agencies are expected to emerge through the investigation announced by the administration.
