Published Oct 18, 2026 | 12:52 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 18, 2026 | 12:52 AM
The injured have been admitted to Kolkata Medical College Hospital. [Pic: Ruthless Trader (@stockspicker_)/X]
Synopsis: A combination of factors — rain, narrow entry and exit points, an announcement, a long queue, and the absence of a proper crowd-management mechanism — may have led to the tragedy. Initial reports said 13 women and a child were among the 17 killed, and at least 25 others suffered injuries in the incident. State helpline numbers: 1800-345-5678 and 033-22141310.
At least 17 people were feared killed and scores of others injured in a stampede at the Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durga puja pandal in Kolkata around 7.40 pm on Saturday, 17 October.
Initial reports said the deceased included 13 women and a child.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the puja committee members and a private security agency may have sparked the stampede. Quoting an Assistant Commissioner of Police at the scene, the chief minister said preliminary information pointed to an announcement over the public address system and whistles triggering the crowd surge. Police have detained a few of them.
He alleged the security agency made the announcement, and added that he could not say much at the moment. A proper investigation would reveal further details. Adhikari visited the Calcutta Medical College, where the injured have been admitted.
Others at the scene said people outside the pandal rushed in after a downpour, which started the stampede. Eyewitnesses also blamed the narrow entry and exit points and inadequate lighting for the tragedy.
Police sealed the pandal and closed a few prominent others, including the Suruchi Sangha and Chetla Agrani, as a precaution.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed condolences to the families of those killed and prayed for the speedy recovery of the people injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to the bereaved families. The injured would be given ₹50,000 each.
Terming the incident “extremely heartbreaking”, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi offered condolences to the families of people who lost their lives. He urged Congress workers to provide every possible assistance in relief efforts.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, West Bengal’s former chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and CPI(M)’s West Bengal state secretary Mohammed Salim were among those who expressed grief over the tragedy.
Shah, who arrived in Kolkata on Saturday evening, postponed his programmes in the state following the tragedy.
The state government has set up two helplines to assist those in need. Numbers: 1800-345-5678 and 033-22141310.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
