KOLKATA (Rajeev Sharma): Seventeen people were killed and 25 others injured after a sudden crowd surge at a Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening, turning a festive gathering into a major tragedy. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari confirmed the fatalities, while officials said one of the injured remained in critical condition.
The incident took place at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal near Chittaranjan Avenue, where a large number of devotees and visitors had assembled outside the venue.
According to a police officer, the situation deteriorated after an announcement by the organisers prompted people waiting outside to move forward. The arrival of rain reportedly intensified the rush, causing people to lose their footing and fall onto the road. The resulting crush left several people dead and dozens injured.
Seventeen victims were brought dead to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, Adhikari said. Disaster management personnel were deployed at the site as authorities worked to assist those affected and manage the aftermath.
PM announces financial assistance for victims’ families
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced compensation from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
The families of each deceased victim will receive Rs 2 lakh, while those injured will be provided Rs 50,000 each, according to the announcement.
In a message posted on X, Modi offered condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery. He also said the local administration was extending assistance and that the West Bengal government was working to support those affected.
Senior officials visit hospital
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal visited Calcutta Medical College and Hospital to review the situation and assess the treatment being provided.
Health Minister Saradwat Mukherjee and other senior officials also reached the facility as medical teams attended to the injured. Authorities were coordinating with emergency personnel while information about the victims and their condition continued to emerge.
The hospital visit came amid efforts to ensure that those requiring urgent care received medical attention.
Amit Shah cancels scheduled programmes
Union Home Minister Amit Shah postponed his planned engagements in West Bengal for Sunday following news of the tragedy. He said he intended to visit the hospital and meet those injured.
Shah said he had spoken with Adhikari after learning about the deaths at the Chorbagan pandal. He expressed concern for the victims and said arrangements were being made to provide the injured with the best possible treatment.
Mamata Banerjee expresses sorrow
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also conveyed her condolences, saying she was deeply shocked by the incident. She expressed solidarity with the affected families and wished those receiving treatment a quick recovery.
The tragedy has raised renewed concerns about crowd control at major festival venues in Kolkata, where Durga Puja attracts large gatherings of residents and visitors. The circumstances surrounding the surge, including the movement of people following the announcement and the onset of rain, remain central to understanding how the gathering turned fatal.
Authorities are continuing their response as families mourn the victims and those injured receive medical care. The incident has cast a shadow over the celebrations and brought the safety of crowded religious events into sharp focus.
