Published Oct 18, 2026 | 12:52 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 18, 2026 | 9:33 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, a misleading 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. Two others died later. State helpline numbers: 1800-345-5678 and 033-22141310.
At least 19 people were killed and 25 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 17 people, including 13 women and a child, were killed. Two people died later, taking the toll to 19.
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 Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, where the injured were admitted. He said 24 of the 25 injured people were out of danger. One person’s condition remained critical, reports said.
The CM also announced an ex gratia of Rs 25 lakhs and a Group D government job for the family of the deceased.
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.
The police have detained the Puja organisers, on-duty staff and private security guards. They also sealed the pandal and closed a few prominent others, including the Suruchi Sangha and Chetla Agrani, as a precaution.
Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) has been imposed in the area for three days.
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. Modi has also sought a report on the incident from the state.
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 Governor RN Ravi, 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).
