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.