Kolkata Durga Puja stampede: 19 dead as authorities order SIT probe and step up safety rules

What happened at Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal

At least 19 people have died and 25 others were injured after a sudden crowd surge led to a stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata on Saturday evening.

The tragedy unfolded at around 7:30 pm when torrential rain and lightning prompted thousands of devotees queued along Central Avenue to rush inside the enclosed venue in Radha Madhab Saha Lane for shelter. The sudden surge, combined with an announcement made by private security personnel that triggered panic, created a severe bottleneck near the exit stairs.

Emergency services moved quickly to rescue trapped visitors and transport the injured to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital. Police sealed off the venue and imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita to restrict public gatherings in the immediate vicinity.

High-level investigation and relief measures

Authorities acted swiftly following the incident, with Kolkata Police lodging a First Information Report under culpable homicide charges. Law enforcement detained 14 individuals, including key puja committee organisers, private security personnel, and volunteers, with seven formally arrested.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced a high-level inquiry by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to be headed by a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court, alongside the Crime Investigation Department. Forensic experts and police teams have seized CCTV footage and venue entry logs to establish accountability.

Both the state government and central leadership immediately announced comprehensive financial assistance and support for affected families.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the tragedy and approved ex-gratia relief from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. Union Home Minister Amit Shah coordinated directly with Chief Minister Adhikari to ensure medical care, postponing his scheduled Bengal programmes to visit the injured in hospital.

Statewide safety audit and crowd control

To safeguard public safety across the festive period, the administration initiated a thorough safety audit for all Durga Puja pandals across West Bengal. Authorities instructed organisers of major crowd-pulling installations—including Tala Pratyay, Chetla Agrani, and Alipore Sarbojanin—to temporarily suspend entry, widen exit routes, and re-examine crowd management protocols before reopening.

State authorities also launched a dedicated toll-free helpline (18003455678) to assist families seeking information regarding the victims and medical treatment.