At least 17 killed in stampede at a religious festival in India's Kolkata, NDTV reports
Police said rain and a crowd surge at the Durga Puja pandal triggered the crush, while 25 injured people were taken for treatment.
- On Saturday, October 17, a stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata killed 19 people and injured 25 during heavy rain as crowds surged at the exit gate.
- Witnesses reported that heavy rain prompted a crowd surge as visitors pushed to escape the downpour. Police are investigating whether an announcement by a private security agency triggered the fatal crush.
- Kolkata Police arrested seven individuals, including puja committee secretary Raj Kumar Sewda and vice president Santanu Dubey. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage to determine roles of security personnel and committee members.
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced Rs 25 lakh and a government job for families of the deceased, alongside Rs 5 lakh for the injured. Administration officials also ordered temporary closures of several major city pandals.
- An SIT headed by a Calcutta High Court judge will investigate crowd management failures and examine CCTV footage. Adhikari ordered a comprehensive safety review of all major Durga Puja pandals to prevent future incidents.
348 Articles
348 Articles
Nineteen dead, 25 hurt in stampede at gathering in India
At least 19 people were killed and two dozen more injured on Saturday in eastern India after a stampede that occurred during sudden rainfall at a Hindu religious gathering, officials and Indian media said.West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari told reporters the fatalities included a seven-year
In the Indian million city of Kolkata mass panic broke out on Saturday evening (local time) at a religious festival. 19 people were killed, 25 others were taken to a hospital with injuries. Indian media reported a "misleading announcement".
In the northern part of Indian Calcutta, people died at the Hindu festival of Durga Puja on Saturday night because of the pressure.
The tragedy once again places the focus on mass pilgrimages in the most populous country in the world, where millions of faithful seek the help of the gods to marry, emigrate or overcome everyday problems Read
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
17 dead, dozens injured after stampede at Indian religious event
At least 17 people were killed in a stampede during a Hindu religious event in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata on Saturday, officials said, the latest episode in a persistent public safety problem for India.
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