17 Dead, 35 Injured in Kolkata Durga Puja Pandal Stampede Amid Heavy Rain
A tragic stampede and structural collapse at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in central Kolkata claimed the lives of seventeen people and left thirty-five others injured on Maha Saptami. The incident occurred near Ram Mandir on Central Avenue following sudden heavy rainfall, which triggered a massive rush of devotees attempting to enter the pandal through a narrow lane. The structural collapse trapped multiple individuals underneath the debris, requiring cutters and disaster management personnel to carry out rescue operations. The injured were evacuated and rushed to the Calcutta Medical College Hospital for treatment. Massive police forces, disaster management teams, and fire services were deployed to secure the site and take stock of the situation. Senior officials, including the Director General of Fire Services, inspected the cordoned-off pandal as an investigation got underway to assess crowd management measures, structural integrity, and security arrangements. Meanwhile, the Union Home Minister cancelled his scheduled programmes in Kolkata to visit the injured victims at the hospital.