States » EastPosted at: Oct 17 2026 11:28PM


Bengal: Stampede at Kolkata Durga Puja pandal, multiple casualties

Kolkata, Oct 17 (UNI) Tragedy marred the festive Durga Puja spirit here as multiple people died in a stampede in north Kolkata's Chorbagan Sarbojonin Durga Puja pandal here on Saturday evening.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who landed in the city in the evening, said there were multiple casualties.
Unconfirmed reports said 18 people lost their lives, even as the city police said 40 injured people were hospitalised after the stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal at 19.40 hours.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Health Minister Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay have arrived at the Calcutta Medical College Hospital, and others are also heading to the facility.
Shah said he spoke to the chief minister on the incident.
"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," said Shah.
"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," he said.
Shah said he was postponing all his scheduled programs in West Bengal on Sunday to visit the injured in the hospital.
"I pray to Ma Durga that all the injured individuals recover swiftly," he said.
Additional Commissioner of Kolkata Police Kunal Agarwal said 40 people injured in the stampede have been hospitalised.
He said the incident occurred at the exit gate of Sarada Park (Chor Bagan) Puja Pandal under the Girish Park Police Station area "due to heavy rush of pandal hoppers during rain".
"Today (17/10/26) at around 19.40 hrs, a stampede incident took place at the exit gate of Sarada Park (Chor Bagan) Puja Pandal (Girish Park PS area)due to heavy rush of pandal hoppers during rain.
"All the injured persons were rescued and removed to the Calcutta Medical College Hospital. Reinforcements from the control room, Fire Brigade, Kolkata Police, and Disaster Management Group team have been sent," Agarwal said.
Ambulances with a medical team were also rushed. The Puja pandal is now closed for visitors.
"So far, information received around 40 persons were removed to MCH. Details are awaited," he added.
Allegations have been raised that no police officers were present in the area when the incident took place.
Heavy rain outside combined with a chaotic rush inside created a dire situation in Chorbagan. As people in the front were pushed and fell, those behind them fell on top of them, leading to the stampede.
It is alleged that neither the police, the fire department, nor the Disaster Management Group (DMG) were present during the rescue efforts; instead, locals stepped in to help.
It may be mentioned that the Chorbagan Sarbojonin Durga Puja received the third prize in Serar Sera (Best of the Best) category in the awards announced by the West Bengal government. UNI BGA/SSP NST CDS
Tags: #Bengal: Stampede at Kolkata Durga Puja pandal# multiple casualties
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