KOLKATA: Seventeen people were reportedly feared dead and several others injured in a stampede at a community Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata on Saturday evening. Kolkata Police are yet to confirm the casualties.
The incident occurred at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Puja pandal in the northern part of the city around 7 pm amid heavy rain and lightning.
As it started raining, the crowd waiting outside the pandal rushed forward, and some of them fell on the road, leading to the stampede, a senior officer said.
The Kolkata police in a statement said, "Today (17/10/26), at around 19:40 hrs, a stampede occurred at the exit gate of the Sarada Park (Chor Bagan) Puja Pandal in the Girish Park Police Station area due to heavy crowds of pandal visitors during rain. All injured persons were rescued and taken to MCH".
"Reinforcement from the Control Room, Fire Brigade, Kolkata Police, DMG team and ambulances with medical teams were deployed. The Puja Pandal is now closed to visitors. As per the information received so far, around 35 people have been taken to MCH," they added.
Several visitors alleged that the stampede occurred due to inadequate safety arrangements by the Kolkata Police.
According to hospital and police sources, several people succumbed to their injuries, while the condition of many others was stated to be critical.
Senior police officials rushed to the spot, and Disaster Management Group personnel were deployed to carry out rescue operations.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendhu Adhikari and Health Minister Saradwat Mukherjee rushed to the hospital.
Following the accident, the West Bengal government has launched a toll-free helpline. For information related to the incident, please call 18003455678, the state government said.
Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she was deeply shocked about the stampede-like situation at Chorbagan puja pandal.
"Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the stampede at the Chorbagan puja pandal. I pray to Maa Durga for the speedy recovery of all those injured and for strength and courage for their families during this difficult time," she said.
TMC leader Kunal Ghosh termed the incident 'unfortunate' and urged the police administration to ensure immediate medical assistance for the injured and called for additional doctors and medical staff to be deployed at the hospital. He said determining the cause of the incident could wait, stressing that the immediate priority was to save lives and ensure treatment for the seriously injured.
This is a developing story.
(With inputs from PTI)
