At least 19 dead in Kolkata stampede during Durga Puja
A crowd crush at a Hindu religious celebration in Kolkata, West Bengal, left at least 19 people dead and 25 injured on Saturday night, authorities said. The tragedy unfolded at a temporary Durga Puja pavilion when sudden rain prompted worshippers to scramble for shelter, causing a surge that resulted in several people falling and being trampled.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited Kolkata Medical College and Hospital, where the victims were taken, and confirmed the death toll. He said a seven‑year‑old girl was among those who lost their lives. The chief minister announced that a special investigation team, to be led by a judge of the state’s high court, will examine the incident. Police have detained some of the pavilion’s organisers, private security staff and on‑duty employees while probing possible lapses in crowd control and safety measures.
According to a police statement, the stampede occurred in the evening because “heavy crowds of pandal hoppers amid rainfall” created a dangerous situation. A senior police officer on the scene told AFP that an announcement made after the rain began caused “commotion”, with the crowd outside the pavilion pushing, pulling and rushing forward, leading to the crush.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the event as “saddening”. In a post on X he wrote, “Condolences to the bereaved families. Wishing the injured a speedy recovery. The West Bengal Government is providing all possible help to the affected families.” His office announced compensation of 200,000 rupees (about $2,106) for the families of those who died and 50,000 rupees (about $527) for each injured person. Interior Minister Amit Shah said the administration is ensuring that all possible medical facilities are being provided to the injured.
Kolkata hosts roughly 3,500 Durga Puja pavilions during the festival, which draws thousands of devotees. Following the stampede, officials ordered several of the city’s most crowded venues to close temporarily to visitors.
Mass‑gathering disasters are not uncommon in India. Last year a stampede at the Kumbh Mela religious fair claimed 30 lives, while in Bengaluru 11 cricket fans were crushed during celebrations for an Indian Premier League title. A political rally in Tamil Nadu’s southern region saw 36 deaths, and in 2024 a Hindu gathering in Uttar Pradesh resulted in 121 fatalities.