KOLKATA: At least 17 people were killed and 25 injured in a stampede at a Hindu religious festival in Kolkata on Saturday evening, prompting questions over crowd management and safety arrangements at one of West Bengal’s major annual gatherings.
The incident occurred at around 7.40pm at the exit gate of the Sarada Park Durga Puja pandal, also known as Chorbagan, in the city’s Girish Park area, according to Kolkata Police. Authorities said heavy crowds and rainfall were factors, although the precise cause of the crush remained unclear.
The injured were taken to Medical College and Hospital for treatment, while police reinforcements, firefighters, disaster management personnel, ambulances and medical teams were deployed to assist victims. The pandal was subsequently closed to visitors.
It’s too Scary 💔🫡
first time in my bloodlines , I hear Stampede in durga puja. Be Safe , Maa Durga Protect All. #Kolkata
Deeply saddened by the tragic stampede in Chorbagan Sarada park , North Kolkata, West Bengal. Mandap collapses during Durga festival. 22 dead in stampede. 32 injured, transferred to hospital.
Reports of chaos at the exit gate due to a massive crowd amid the rain.
Be Safe , it’s not to time panic.
— Purohit Says (@yashpurohitt) October 17, 2026
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said 17 people had been brought dead to hospital and 25 others were injured. He later visited the hospital to meet those receiving treatment, according to Indian media reports.
The government announced compensation of 200,000 rupees for the next of kin of each deceased person and 50,000 rupees for each injured victim through the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. The West Bengal administration also pledged assistance to affected families.
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The tragedy raises renewed concerns over crowd control and emergency preparedness at large public gatherings. However, it remains unclear whether any specific safety failures or administrative lapses contributed to the incident.
Indian media reports cited differing accounts of how the crowd surge unfolded, including the possible impact of rainfall and a rush of visitors near the venue’s entrance and exit. The precise sequence of events had yet to be independently established.
Durga Puja is one of West Bengal’s largest annual religious and cultural festivals, attracting huge crowds to temporary structures known as pandals, where idols of the Hindu goddess Durga are displayed for worship. The festival features elaborate decorations, religious ceremonies and public gatherings across the state.
