At least 19 people were killed and 25 injured in the stampede on Saturday evening during Maha Saptami celebrations at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal
TBS Report
18 October, 2026, 10:05 am
Last modified: 18 October, 2026, 10:14 am
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh and a government job for the family of each person killed in a stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata, while the state government plans to seek a fact-finding committee to investigate the incident.
At least 19 people were killed and 25 injured in the stampede on Saturday evening during Maha Saptami celebrations at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal, according to officials, says Times of India.
The state government has also announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh for each injured person and said it would bear the full cost of their medical treatment. Officials said 24 of the injured were out of danger, while one remained in critical condition.
Government plans investigation
The state government will request the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court to constitute a fact-finding committee, including Special Task Force (STF) and forensic teams, to investigate the incident and examine crowd-management arrangements.
Kolkata Police's Anti-Rowdy Section has collected CCTV footage from the pandal premises for examination. Officials from the organising club, private security personnel and staff on duty have been detained for questioning.
According to officials and police, the stampede occurred after rain began and people waiting outside rushed forwards, causing some to fall on the road. An announcement by the puja organisers also triggered a sudden rush among visitors.
Police impose restrictions
Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand has imposed prohibitory orders in parts of Bowbazar from 18 October to 20 October to prevent a breach of peace.
The restrictions prohibit the assembly of five or more people, carrying lathis or dangerous weapons, and activities that could disrupt public order.
Authorities have also advised several other crowded, theme-based Durga Puja pandals across the city to close temporarily.
Families and residents raise concerns
The incident prompted criticism from local residents over security arrangements at the venue. Some alleged that the "VIP entrance got priority" over public safety.
Relatives of victims described the incident, with one survivor saying, "My mother died before my eyes". A husband recalling his wife's death said, "I found my wife lying still. None came to help".