Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, Home Minister Amit Shah and Mamata Banerjee expressed grief after the deadly stampede at Kolkata's Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal. Modi announced financial assistance for victims' families and the injured.
Political leaders across party lines expressed grief after a stampede at Kolkata's Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal left at least 17 people dead and several others injured on Saturday, 17 October.
Political leaders express grief over the stampede at Kolkata's Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee offered condolences to the victims' families and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
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The stampede occurred at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening, 17 October, around 7:40 pm.
The reports state that at least 17 people died and 25 others were injured. The injured were taken to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital.
The incident happened amid heavy rain and a large crowd. Reports said visitors rushed towards the pandal; the precise sequence of events was not conclusively established.
PM Modi announced ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each person who died. Those injured will receive ₹50,000.
The West Bengal government issued helpline numbers 18003455678 and 03322141310 for people affected by the incident or seeking information.
The tragedy unfolded amid heavy rain and overcrowding at the north Kolkata pandal on Saptami, the seventh day of Durga Puja. Kolkata Police said at least 25 people were injured and taken to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital.
PM Modi announces financial assistance
PM Modi expressed sorrow over the stampede in a post on X, extending condolences to families who had lost loved ones and wishing the injured an early recovery. He added that the local administration was providing all possible assistance to those affected.
The Prime Minister also announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each person who died. Those injured will receive ₹50,000.
President Murmu offers condolences
President Droupadi Murmu described the deaths at the Durga Puja pandal as extremely heartbreaking. She conveyed her deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the swift recovery of those injured.
Her message came as emergency services and hospital staff continued responding to the incident.
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Amit Shah postpones Bengal programmes
Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed grief over the incident and said he had spoken to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. He offered condolences to the families of those who died and prayed for the injured to recover quickly.
Shah also postponed his scheduled programmes in West Bengal for Sunday, saying he would visit the hospital to meet those injured. He said the administration was ensuring that medical assistance was available to them.
Mamata Banerjee expresses shock
Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she was deeply shocked and saddened by the stampede at the Chorbagan Puja pandal. In a post on X, she prayed to Maa Durga for the speedy recovery of those injured and for their families to find strength and courage during the difficult period.
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Nitin Nabin also reacts
BJP national president Nitin Nabin expressed anguish over the loss of lives, praying for peace for the deceased and a speedy recovery for those injured. He also said the administration was extending all possible assistance to those affected.
What happened
At least 17 people have been confirmed dead and 25 others injured in a stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said. The incident occurred around 7.40 PM amid heavy rain and a large crowd, when visitors rushed towards the pandal.
The injured were taken to Kolkata Medical College and Hospital, while police, fire brigade personnel and disaster management teams were deployed for rescue operations. The pandal was subsequently closed to visitors as authorities began investigating the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
About the Author
Trisha Bhattacharya
Trisha Bhattacharya is a Senior Content Producer at Livemint, with over two years of experience covering entertainment news from India and beyond. She spends her days tracking what’s trending, breaking down pop culture moments, and turning fast-moving entertainment stories into sharp, engaging reads that actually make people want to click — and stay. <br> She holds a Master’s degree in English Literature from Lucknow University, a background that shapes her love for layered narratives, strong voices, and stories that linger long after they’re told. Before joining Livemint, Trisha worked with India Today as an entertainment journalist and film critic. There, she reviewed films, covered industry news, and built a strong foundation in storytelling and cultural analysis. <br> Trisha enjoys working at the intersection of media, culture, and audience interest, always looking for fresh angles and formats. Films, shows, and music are not just her beat but her biggest passion — something that naturally reflects in her writing. Whether it’s cinema, streaming shows, music, or internet trends, she approaches every story with curiosity and intent. <br> Outside the job description, she’s unapologetically passionate about films, shows, and music — sometimes a little too passionate, if you ask her. That enthusiasm often spills into her work, adding personality, urgency, and a touch of chaos that keeps her writing alive. For Trisha, entertainment isn’t just a beat — it’s a language she speaks fluently.