Kolkata Durga Puja Stampede Kills 19, Injures 25; Organisers Among Seven Arrested
At least 19 people were killed and 25 injured in a stampede at a north Kolkata Durga Puja pandal following a sudden downpour. Authorities have ordered an independent investigation, announced compensation and arrested seven people.
KOLKATA — At least 19 people were killed and 25 injured in a stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening, during Maha Saptami celebrations.
The incident occurred around 7:30–7:40 pm at the pandal (also referred to in connection with Sarada Park/Chor Bagan in the Girish Park police station area), when a sudden heavy downpour triggered a surge of visitors seeking shelter.
Narrow entry and exit gates, inadequate crowd control, insufficient police and private security deployment, and reports of a confusing or misleading announcement (including a warning that the structure was about to collapse) contributed to panic, according to preliminary police findings based on CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts, and local statements.
Many of the dead were women and children; deaths were largely attributed to crushing and suffocation. Most of the injured were initially taken to Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, with some later shifted, including to Apollo Hospital in Salt Lake.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari confirmed the toll—17 died on the spot and two en route to hospital—and described the tragedy as “painful” and “extremely heartbreaking.” He ordered an independent Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court, comprising officers from the Special Task Force (STF), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and other departments, to probe the incident.
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Adhikari said the investigation would be fully transparent, that footage and evidence would be examined, and that “nobody will be spared,” whether organisers, security personnel, police, or others found responsible for lapses. He blamed callousness by the organisers in initial comments and directed safety audits and stricter crowd-management measures at other pandals statewide. The pandal was sealed and handed over to forensic teams, STF, and the fire brigade; prohibitory orders under Section 163 were imposed on adjoining roads until October 20.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on a two-day visit to the state, cancelled his scheduled visits to Durga Puja pandals and, accompanied by CM Adhikari, visited Apollo Hospital on Sunday morning. He met some of the injured reviewed their treatment with doctors, and interacted with medical staff. Shah had earlier expressed condolences and said he was postponing programmes to prioritise the victims. West Bengal Governor R.N. Ravi also visited the injured.
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The state government announced compensation of ₹25 lakh and a Group D government job for the family of each deceased person, plus ₹5 lakh and full medical expenses for each of the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for each injured person, describing the stampede as “extremely distressing.”
A toll-free helpline was set up. Kolkata Police registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, detained over a dozen people, and arrested seven—including the Chorbagan Puja committee secretary and vice-president, along with others linked to structure installation and crowd management. Several major pandals across Kolkata temporarily suspended public entry on administrative instructions.
Authorities continue to investigate the exact sequence, including the role of announcements and crowd-management decisions, while prioritising treatment of the injured and support for the affected families.
