A warning that a Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata was at risk of collapsing may have triggered the stampede that killed 19 people and injured 25 during Saptami celebrations on Saturday evening, police said on Sunday. Investigators are examining a video that captures the announcement and are trying to identify who made it and why.
The announcement, heard over a microphone at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal, told visitors that the structure was in very poor condition and could collapse, urging them to leave. Police said the warning may have caused panic among visitors already gathered at the site.
A senior police officer said preliminary findings pointed to a combination of poor crowd management, confusing public announcements and a sudden surge of visitors seeking shelter from a downpour. “We have gathered sufficient evidence pointing to gross mismanagement by the puja organisers. There was no clear plan to manage the large number of visitors, and everything was handled verbally,” the officer said.
According to the police account, the pandal’s gates and the approach road were narrow. As panic spread, visitors attempted to move out through the entrance, contributing to the crush. Announcements on entry, exit and crowd movement were also inadequate, leaving people confused as the crowd intensified.
Police have collected CCTV footage and recorded statements from local residents and eyewitnesses. Investigators will question survivors to cross-check accounts and reconstruct the sequence of events. A forensic team visited the site on Saturday night to collect evidence, and another team is expected to conduct further examinations.
The investigation is also examining whether inadequate deployment of police personnel and private security guards worsened the situation. Police are seeking to establish the sequence from the announcement and the rain-related crowd movement to the surge at the entrance.
Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari blamed the alleged callousness of the organisers and said the tragedy would be investigated. He also suggested that the announcement made by the puja committee over the microphone may have contributed to the crush.
The condition of the injured remained a key concern. Of the 25 people injured, 14 were undergoing treatment at a private hospital on Sunday, including three in intensive care. One ICU patient was in critical condition, while the other two were showing signs of improvement, West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission chairman Biswajit Basu said.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita on roads adjoining the pandal until October 20. The restrictions are intended to control movement around the site while the investigation continues.
The state government has announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh and a Group D government job for the family of each deceased victim. It has also constituted a panel to review safety protocols at major Durga Puja pandals and recommend immediate corrective measures wherever shortcomings are found.
