Kolkata:
At least 19 people, including 13 women and a child, died, and 25 were injured in a stampede at a popular Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata on Saturday evening.
"Today (17/10/26), at around 19:40 hrs, a stampede occurred at the exit gate of the Sarada Park (Chor Bagan) Puja Pandal in the Girish Park Police Station area due to heavy crowds of pandal visitors amid rain. All injured persons were rescued and taken to MCH (Medical College and Hospital)," the Kolkata Police said in a statement in the evening.
Also read: Rain, Narrow Exit, Weekend Rush: Witnesses Recount Kolkata Puja Pandal Stampede
"Reinforcements from the Control Room, Fire Brigade, Kolkata Police, DMG team and ambulances with medical teams were deployed. The Puja Pandal is now closed to visitors," they added.
Eight of those injured are critical.
The police have detained 12 people, including organisers of the Chorebagan Durga Puja.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal visited the hospital to assess the situation.
"We will check the CCTV footage to see if the crowd was being properly controlled. We will determine who is responsible: the organising committee, the police, private security, or anyone else. There's no question of sparing anyone," the Chief Minister said in a video statement.
Adhikari also announced the formation of a high-level committee to review safety arrangements at major Durga Puja pandals across the state.
He also announced that his government will provide Rs 25 lakh and a Group D government job for the family of each victims.
The tragedy took place on Saptami, or the seventh day of the 10-day Durga Puja festival.
Narrow Entry, Exit Gates
A witness told news agency ANI that many people lost consciousness during the stampede.
Another witness blamed narrow entry and exit gates for the tragedy.
"The entrance was very narrow, and the exit gate was also narrow. There was no lighting in the area....My daughter and granddaughter are hospitalised," he said.
After the stampede, the pandal organisers halted entry to the premises and switched off the lights.
"It is not clear as of now how this incident happened. For now, our emphasis is on rescue work, and our primary task is to take the injured to the hospital. Police personnel, along with teams from the State Fire Services and State Disaster Management Department, are on the spot. It is not clear whether the victims were trampled under crowd pressure or not," Bikash Das, a Puja organiser, was quoted as saying by news agency IANS.
Also read: Kolkata Durga Puja Stampede: What We Know So Far
PM Modi, Amit Shah, Mamata Banerjee React
Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the incident extremely distressing. He has announced interim compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those who died. The injured will receive Rs 50,000 each.
"The stampede in Kolkata is extremely distressing. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected," he said on X.
The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 17, 2026
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is in West Bengal, has deferred his political events scheduled for Sunday.
"I have just received the extremely distressing news of multiple casualties after the stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal. I have spoken with Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari about this matter. I pray for the peace of the souls of those who have lost their lives in this tragic accident and extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family members. The administration is making arrangements for the best possible medical treatment for the injured. I am postponing all my scheduled programs in West Bengal tomorrow to visit the injured in the hospital. I pray to Ma Durga that all the injured individuals recover swiftly," he wrote on X.
Deeply anguished by the tragic stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, which has claimed several precious lives. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured. I urge the West Bengal Government to ensure immediate rescue and medical assistance, adequate compensation to the families of the deceased and the injured, and a thorough investigation to prevent such tragedies in the future. I appeal to all Congress leaders and workers to extend every possible assistance to those affected during this difficult hour.
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) October 17, 2026
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge also expressed grief.
"Deeply anguished by the tragic stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, which has claimed several precious lives. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured. I urge the West Bengal Government to ensure immediate rescue and medical assistance, adequate compensation to the families of the deceased and the injured, and a thorough investigation to prevent such tragedies in the future. I appeal to all Congress leaders and workers to extend every possible assistance to those affected during this difficult hour," he said.
Former Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed shock at the incident and wished the injured speedy recovery.
"Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the stampede at the Chore Bagan Puja Pandal. I pray to Maa Durga for the speedy recovery of all those injured and for strength and courage for their families during this difficult time," she wrote on X.
State government helpline numbers: 1800-345-5678 and 033-22141310.