UPDATED: Oct 18, 2026 12:48 IST
A crucial high-level meeting is underway at the West Bengal Police Headquarters, Bhawani Bhavan, where the Chief Minister is reviewing the ongoing investigation into the recent stampede incident. Senior police officers, the Director General of Police, and Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Aggarwal are present. Taking lessons from the incident in Kolkata, the administration is focusing on safety and security measures for pandal hoppers across districts including Malda, Howrah, and Siliguri. Discussions are focused on chalking out strategies and precautionary steps to manage huge congregations throughout the Durga Puja celebrations under direct supervision.
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19 Dead In Kolkata Durga Puja Pandal Stampede; 7 Arrested As Kin Flag Lapses
A massive stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata has claimed the lives of at least 19 people, including 13 women and six minors, leaving over 25 others injured. The mishap occurred after heavy rainfall caused visitors to rush into the pandal for shelter, creating a severe choke point at the narrow exit lane. Families of the victims have blamed the Puja organizers and local administration for poor crowd management, narrow passage lanes, and inadequate lighting. Following the incident, police arrested seven individuals, including committee organizers, and imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita around the area. Senior officials, including the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, held high-level meetings to review security and crowd control measures across West Bengal, while several other pandals with heavy footfalls were temporarily closed as a precaution.
Kolkata Durga Puja Stampede Kills 19; Amit Shah Visits Injured, 7 Arrested
A stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata claimed the lives of 19 people after severe rainfall triggered panic and overcrowding. According to eyewitness accounts, poor crowd segregation, narrow entry and exit points, and inadequate official deployment aggravated the crisis as visitors rushed inside for shelter. Wet staircases near the exit gate created a critical choke point where several people slipped and were crushed by the surging crowd. Seventeen individuals were declared dead on arrival at the hospital, while two others succumbed to injuries later. Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the injured undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospital alongside Suvendu Adhikari. Meanwhile, Kolkata Police registered an FIR at Girish Park Police Station and arrested seven persons, including the puja committee's secretary and vice president, under charges including negligence and culpable homicide. The Centre announced an ex gratia of two lakh rupees for the next of kin of the deceased, while the state government announced compensation of 25 lakh rupees and a government job.
Kolkata Stampede Kills 19: TMC Slams BJP Over VIP Security, 7 Arrested
A stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata claimed 19 lives and injured at least 25 others after sudden rain triggered a massive rush and part of the structure collapsed. Visitors scrambling for cover clashed with exiting crowds, turning the stairs near the exit gate into a fatal trap. Following the tragedy, police detained 14 people and arrested seven, including the pandal secretary and vice president. Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari announced a fact-finding committee and a special task force to probe the incident. Meanwhile, political controversy erupted as the Trinamool Congress attacked the state government, questioning crowd management and police priorities regarding VIP security during Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit. TMC demanded accountability and targeted the pandal committee's alleged political links. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia compensation of two lakh rupees for the next of kin of the deceased and 50,000 rupees for each injured victim.
Durga Puja Pandal Stampede: Amit Shah Cancels Bengal Events, Meets Injured at Kolkata Hospital
Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the Apollo Hospital in Kolkata to meet victims injured in a stampede-like situation at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal. Following the tragedy, Amit Shah cancelled all his scheduled events and prior engagements across West Bengal for the day. Before visiting the hospital, he offered prayers at the Kalighat Temple accompanied by Suvendu Adhikari. At the hospital, the Home Minister interacted with the injured persons and their family members to understand what transpired during the incident and expressed solidarity with them, after which he departed for the airport.