At least 17 killed in stampede at a religious festival in India's Kolkata, NDTV reports
Seventeen people died and 25 others were injured in a crowd surge at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal during heavy rainfall, according to local police data.
- On Saturday, October 17, 2026, a stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata killed at least 17 people during heavy rainfall. The tragedy occurred when a crowd surge forced visitors to rush forward, causing people to fall and triggering a deadly crush.
- Heavy rainfall prompted hundreds of visitors waiting outside to rush for shelter, creating a dangerous bottleneck in the narrow approach. Kolkata Police sources reported a loudspeaker announcement by organizers potentially triggered the surge that overwhelmed crowd-control measures.
- Emergency teams deployed to the site transported at least 25 injured individuals to the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the facility to assess the situation and oversee medical stabilization efforts.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs 2 lakh ex gratia for families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Union Home Minister Amit Shah postponed his Sunday programs to visit the injured, expressing condolences and coordinating with Adhikari.
- The stampede sparked scrutiny of crowd management at festival venues, with recurring safety issues previously documented at Deshapriya Park and other sites. TMC leader Kunal Ghosh alleged inadequate safety arrangements by Kolkata Police, demanding accountability and a thorough administrative review.
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Festival crush in Indian city of Kolkata kills at least 17, local media say
A crush at a religious festival in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata killed at least 17 people and injured dozens, local media reported on Saturday (Oct 11).Durga Puja, a multi-day annual Hindu festival in the state of West Bengal, draws huge crowds to temporary structures known as pa
Seventeen people were reportedly killed and around 40 injured in a stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata on Saturday evening. The massive crowd, amid pouring rain, caused chaos at the exit gate. The injured were rushed to Calcutta Medical College Hospital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a financial assistance of ₹200,000 for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
The episode took place in Calcutta during the celebrations for the “Durga Puja”, an event in homage to one of the main goddesses of Hindu believers; more than 20 injured were reported
According to media reports, the accident occurred on Saturday evening at an exit of a pavilion built for the festival.
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