HighLights
  1. 18 feared dead, many injured at Chorbagan Durga Puja.
  2. Crowd surge during rain caused stampede-like situation at pandal.
  3. CM Suvendu Adhikari visited injured; organisers summoned by police.

Chorbagan Durga Puja Pandal Stampede Latest Updates: At least 18 are feared dead and more than a dozen injured after a stampede-like situation triggered by a sudden crowd surge at a community Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening, Jagran.com reported. The death toll is likely to rise. According to a senior officer, the incident occurred when rain prompted the crowd waiting outside the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal to rush forward. Several people fell on the road, triggering a stampede-like situation.

Bengal CM visits Calcutta Medical College and Hospital

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari rushed to the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, where the injured have been taken. A detailed report on the incident is still awaited.

Health Minister rushed to hospital

West Bengal Health Minister Saradwat Mukherjee and senior officials rushed to the hospital.
Disaster management personnel have been deployed at the site, the officer said.

Stampede occurred at Sarada Park exit gate: Police

"Today at around 7:40 pm, a stampede occurred at the exit gate of Sarada Park (Chor Bagan) Puja Pandal, under Girish Park Police Station, due to heavy crowds of pandal hoppers amid rainfall. The Puja Pandal has now been closed to visitors. All injured persons were rescued and shifted to MCH for treatment. As per the information received so far, approximately 35 persons have been shifted to MCH," ANI quoted a police official as saying.

Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she was deeply shocked about the stampede-like situation at Chorbagan puja pandal. "Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the stampede at the Chorbagan 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 said.

Heavy Rain, Crowds May Have Worsened Situation

The incident occurred amid heavy rainfall, as the pandal was reportedly overflowing with visitors. A possible collapse of part of the pandal's structure has been suggested as a contributing factor, though the exact cause remains unclear.

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Following the incident, the pandal's lights were switched off and its exits were blocked as efforts focused on evacuating the injured and transporting them to the hospital.

Puja organiser Vikas Das said the cause of the incident had not yet been established. He said the immediate priority was to ensure that the injured received medical attention. It was also unclear whether people had been crushed by the crowd or whether another factor had caused the incident.

Puja Organisers Summoned To Police Station

Meanwhile, the Puja organisers have been summoned to the police station. The West Bengal government has also issued a toll-free helpline number, 18003455678, for people seeking information or assistance related to the incident.

Notably, the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durgotsav Committee has chosen ‘Arb’ as the theme for its Puja pandal this year. The concept, which translates to “Beyond Sound,” seeks to explore the depth of silence by moving beyond the familiar boundaries of sound. The pandal has been designed around a 360-degree concept.

This is a developing news. More details will be added.


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