Chorebagan pandal stampede: 10 discharged, four remain in hospital for treatment

Ten people injured in Saturday evening’s Chorebagan pandal stampede were discharged from a private hospital on Monday, while four others remained under treatment.

The stampede at Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durgotsav Samity in north Calcutta claimed 19 lives and left 14 people injured.

“Ten of the injured were discharged on Monday. Of the four still undergoing treatment, two are in the ICU, one is in the high-dependency unit, and one is in the general ward,” an official of Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals Kolkata said.

One of the patients in the ICU has suffered multiple fractures in the lower part of the body, the official said.

At least one of those discharged has been advised complete bed rest for six days.

“He has suffered a back injury after people fell on him,” a relative said.

Several survivors said a surge of people from behind caused them to fall, while others stepped on them, leaving many unable to get back on their feet.

Preliminary post-mortem reports of the 19 victims whose bodies were examined at the Kolkata Police Morgue identified traumatic asphyxia caused by chest compression as the principal cause of death.

The intense pressure on the victims’ chests, apparently sustained during the stampede, prevented them from breathing normally.

Police sources said some victims also suffered internal bleeding and organ rupture.

Several sustained injuries to the lungs, stomach, liver and pancreas, while some also suffered head injuries.

Adequate exit routes, effective crowd management and prompt intervention are crucial to prevent people from falling, becoming trapped and being crushed under the pressure of a surging crowd.