At least 17 killed in stampede at a religious festival in India's Kolkata, NDTV reports
Police said 25 injured people were taken to hospitals as investigators examined crowd-control failures and the pandal was closed to visitors.
- On Saturday, October 17, 2026, a stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata killed 19 people and injured 25 during heavy rain as crowds surged forward to enter the venue.
- Heavy rainfall prompted a sudden rush of devotees seeking shelter, while an announcement by organizers combined with overcrowding caused commotion near the exit gate. Witnesses reported the pressure quickly became unbearable, trapping many attendees.
- Kolkata Police arrested seven individuals, including secretary Raj Kumar Sewda, vice president Santanu Dubey, and security in-charges Suman Chakraborty and Rajesh Pal. Authorities are examining CCTV footage to identify crowd management failures.
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced Rs 25 lakh and a government job for each deceased family's next of kin, plus Rs 5 lakh for the injured. The Prime Minister's National Relief Fund will provide Rs 200,000 per deceased family.
- Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita in the Bowbazar area through October 20, 2026, prohibiting unlawful assemblies. Officials also ordered major pandals to temporarily close to prevent further accidents.
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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.
Police have arrested seven persons linked to the organization and security of the compound
At least 19 people have died, including thirteen women and one child, after a stampede and panic broke out at the religious festival of Durga Puja in the Indian city of Kolkata.
The police have arrested, for example, the people responsible for the arrangements at the festival area.
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