Kolkata Durga Puja pandal stampede injures dozens at Chorbagan
Emergency teams and senior state officials responded swiftly after heavy crowds and rain triggered a structure collapse in North Kolkata.
At least 25 people were injured on Saturday evening after an exit gate and a section of the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal collapsed during a heavy crowd surge in North Kolkata.
The incident took place around 7:40 pm in the Girish Park police station area at Sarada Park, where massive crowds had gathered for Saptami Durga Puja celebrations. Sudden rainfall prompted waiting visitors outside the venue to surge forward toward the pandal structure. Under the intense crowd pressure, part of the exit structure gave way, causing several people to fall and leading to a stampede-like rush.
Rapid emergency response and hospitalisation
Police personnel stationed nearby moved quickly to manage the crowd and clear access routes for emergency vehicles. Disaster management teams, fire brigade units, and fleet ambulances reached the site within minutes to evacuate the injured.
All affected visitors were transported immediately to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital for emergency treatment. While initial official reports confirmed at least 25 admissions in serious condition, total reported injury estimates reached up to 35 people as triage continued.
Senior administration officials, including West Bengal Health Minister Saradwat Mukherjee and Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal, rushed directly to the hospital to supervise the medical response and ensure all required care was made available without delay.
| Incident Field | Event Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Chorbagan Sarbojanin, Sarada Park (North Kolkata) |
| Time of Incident | Around 7:40 pm, Saturday (Saptami) |
| Primary Medical Facility | Calcutta Medical College and Hospital |
| Control Room Helplines | 18003455678, 03322141310 |
| Site Action Taken | Cordoned off and closed to visitors |
Safety measures and control room helplines
To guarantee public safety and allow responders full access, police completely stopped entry to the venue and closed the pandal to visitors for the remainder of the evening. Volunteer teams from the Puja organizers assisted security personnel in clearing the surrounding walkways.
The Kolkata Police Lalbazar Control Room established dedicated helpline numbers to assist relatives seeking information regarding those admitted to hospital. Families can reach the control room directly on 18003455678 or 03322141310.
Emergency personnel remain on site to oversee structural inspections and maintain order across surrounding Puja locations in North Kolkata.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Injured taken to hospital | At least 25 to 35 | Kolkata Police |
| Time of incident | Around 7:40 pm | Kolkata Police |
| Lalbazar Control Room helplines | 18003455678, 03322141310 | Kolkata Police |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja Pandal | Location of the structural collapse and crowd surge. |
| Kolkata | City where the incident occurred. |
