KOLKATA, India, October 18 - The incident occurred at around 7:40 pm local time at the exit gate of the Sarada Park, also known as the Chorbagan, Durga Puja pandal in the city's Girish Park area, according to a statement by Kolkata Police. Police attributed the incident to heavy crowds of festival visitors amid rainfall.
The injured were rescued and taken to Medical College and Hospital for treatment, the police statement said, adding that police reinforcements, firefighters, disaster management personnel, ambulances and medical teams had been deployed. The pandal was closed to visitors following the incident, police said.
Official sources said 17 people had been brought dead to hospital and 25 others were injured during the unfortunate stampede. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the deaths and extended condolences to the bereaved families, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement published by the government's Press Information Bureau.
The government announced compensation of 200,000 rupees ($2,106) from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each person killed, while those injured would receive 50,000 rupees each, the statement said. The government also said the West Bengal administration was providing comprehensive assistance to affected families and overseeing medical treatments for all victims currently admitted in hospitals.
Durga Puja is one of the largest annual religious and cultural festivals in West Bengal, drawing large crowds to temporary structures known as pandals, where idols of the Hindu goddess Durga are displayed for worship. The festival celebrates the goddess's victory over the demon Mahishasura and is marked by elaborate decorations, religious ceremonies and public gatherings across the state throughout the week of celebrations.
Indian media reports cited differing accounts of how the incident unfolded, including the impact of sudden rainfall and an uncontrollable rush among people near the venue's entrance and exit gates. Local authorities have initiated a thorough inquiry into the safety protocols and crowd management procedures at the site to prevent any such tragedies during large public events in the future.