Stampede at Kolkata Durga Puja pandal kills 19; seven arrested including organisers

KOLKATA: At least 19 people were killed and dozens injured in a stampede during a Durga Puja event in the Indian city of Kolkata. Police arrested seven people, including organisers, after the incident.

According to Indian media, the stampede broke out at a Durga Puja pandal in Chorbagan. The incident took place on the seventh day of the ten-day religious festival, when a large number of people had gathered to attend the event and see the pandal.

Chief Minister’s statement

Speaking to reporters after visiting the injured, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said initial reports suggested panic spread among the people after an announcement was made on a loudspeaker by the pandal’s organisers, leading to the tragic incident. However, it was not clear what the announcement said.

According to the Chief Minister, the families of two of the dead have also claimed that the stampede began after private security personnel at the pandal blew a whistle.

Suvendu Adhikari urged other Durga Puja organisers to ensure proper lighting in pandals and enough entry and exit routes for the movement of people. He said some theme-based pandals keep lighting low for decoration, but human lives are more important than decoration.

He said the site had been handed over to a forensic team, the police Special Task Force and the fire brigade so that the incident could be investigated.

After the incident, the administration directed that several major Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata be closed temporarily and that visitors be stopped from entering.