Chorbagan Durga Puja Pandal Stampede Latest Updates: At least 17 dead and 15 injured after a stampede-like situation triggered by a sudden crowd surge at a community Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening, news agency PTI reported, citing West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The death toll is likely to rise, police told PTI. 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
Chief Minister rushed to the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, where the injured have been taken.
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.
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.
PM Modi condoles deaths, announces Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the tragic incident and stated that the local administration was providing assistance to the injured. The Prime Minister said the stampede in Kolkata is extremely distressing and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
"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," the Prime Minister said in an X post.
Amit Shah to visit hospital tomorrow
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who arrived at Kolkata airport in the evening, also expressed condolences over the deaths and assured all possible assistance from the local administration. In a social media post, he announced the cancellation of his official engagements scheduled for tomorrow and added that he would visit the hospital where the injured were admitted.
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