Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the stampede in Kolkata was extremely distressing and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
At least 17 people are feared dead in a stampede following a crowd surge at a community Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening.
"The stampede in Kolkata is extremely distressing. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest," PM Modi said in a post on X.
The prime minister said the local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah postponed his programmes in Bengal scheduled for Sunday and will visit the hospital to meet the injured.
Shah wrote in a post on X, "I have just received the extremely distressing news of multiple casualties after the stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal. I have spoken with Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari about this matter."
He prayed for the peace of the departed souls and extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved families.
Former 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.
The Trinamool Congress, in a social media post, criticised the Kolkata Police and alleged that there were no police personnel or ambulances at the site to manage the crowd or assist victims after the stampede.
The party said local residents and pandal visitors rescued the injured and took them to hospital in Ola and Uber vehicles, and accused the BJP-led administration of failing citizens while protecting VIPs.