stampede at Durga Puja Pandal : 19 Dead
Kolkata pandal stampede toll rises to 19; CM Adhikari announces Rs 25 lakh aid, govt jobs for victims’ families
Adhikari said the state government was making every possible effort to assist the bereaved families and ensure proper medical treatment for the injured
Adhikari added that he will write to the Chief Justice of the Kolkata High Court, requesting the formation of a ‘fact-finding committee.’
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday said that 19 people have died in the stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, with 17 of them dying on the spot. At least 25 people were injured, of whom one remains in critical condition.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the site, Adhikari said the state government was making every possible effort to assist the bereaved families and ensure proper medical treatment for the injured.
“This is a tragic incident. 19 people have lost their lives, 17 of whom died on the spot. 25 people have been injured; 24 of them are out of danger, while one remains in critical condition. The government is making every possible effort. We are working even through the night, and we have also announced compensation,” he said.
“3 members from the affected families met with me and expressed their trust in the government,” he added.
He further emphasised that an ex gratia of Rs 25 lakh and a government job will be given to the families of the deceased individuals, while Rs 5 lakh will be given to the injured. All the medical costs of the injured persons undergoing treatment will be covered by the State government.
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“The Union Home Minister’s scheduled programs have been cancelled. We stand with all the affected families. The families of the deceased will receive compensation of Rs 25 lakh and a government job. The government will cover the entire cost of medical treatment for the injured, and they will also be provided with compensation of Rs 5 lakh each,” he said.
Notably, Amit Shah will visit the Medical College at 11 AM on Sunday.
Adhikari added that he will write to the Chief Justice of the Kolkata High Court, requesting the formation of a ‘fact-finding committee.’
“This committee will include the STF and forensic teams, and we will conduct an investigation accordingly,” he said.
Furthermore, in a targeted attack on former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, CM Adhikari asked about her role in the incidents that occurred during the Durga Puja in 2025.
Adhikari said that the families of the deceased have expressed faith in him and the State government. He further noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked the Chief Secretary to submit a detailed report of the incident, while announcing an ex-gratia and relief compensation for the affected families.
“Everyone is well aware of the role of the previous government in similar incidents that occurred in the past. Some are attempting to politicise this, but it will be to no avail. I have met with the families of the deceased, and they have explicitly stated that they have full faith in the Chief Minister and the government. The PMO also requested a report from the Chief Secretary, which we have submitted.
The Prime Minister has announced relief and compensation. The central and state governments are working together on this,” he said.
Furthermore, in a targeted attack on former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, CM Adhikari asked about her role in the incidents that occurred during the Durga Puja in 2025. In a sharp attack on Banerjee, he said that 13 people lost their lives in 2025 due to electrocution caused by the rain amid the Durga Puja season. He directly asked if the former Chief Minister visited the affected families during her time as the head of the State.
“In 2025, two more incidents occurred during the Puja season; 13 people lost their lives due to electrocution amidst the rains. What was the Chief Minister’s role? Did she visit any of the affected families? A sudden, devastating flood struck North Bengal; 100 people perished, from the hills of Darjeeling to Nagrakata,” he said.
Meanwhile, Durga Puja organisers in Siliguri have stepped up safety measures ahead of the festivities following the stampede, with more volunteers, continuous public announcements and increased police deployment at pandals to manage crowds, facilitate smooth movement and enhance the safety of devotees and visitors.
The incident occurred amid heavy crowds at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata. The injured were shifted to hospitals for treatment as authorities initiated measures to investigate the circumstances surrounding the stampede.
Breaking News: 17 feared dead, several injured in stampede at Durga Puja pandal
KOLKATA: Seventeen people were reportedly feared dead and several others injured in a stampede at a community Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata on Saturday evening. Kolkata Police are yet to confirm the casualties.
The incident occurred at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Puja pandal in the northern part of the city around 7 pm amid heavy rain and lightning.
As it started raining, the crowd waiting outside the pandal rushed forward, and some of them fell on the road, leading to the stampede, a senior officer said.
The Kolkata police in a statement said, “Today (17/10/26), at around 19:40 hrs, a stampede occurred at the exit gate of the Sarada Park (Chor Bagan) Puja Pandal in the Girish Park Police Station area due to heavy crowds of pandal visitors during rain. All injured persons were rescued and taken to MCH”.
“Reinforcement from the Control Room, Fire Brigade, Kolkata Police, DMG team and ambulances with medical teams were deployed. The Puja Pandal is now closed to visitors. As per the information received so far, around 35 people have been taken to MCH,” they added.
Several visitors alleged that the stampede occurred due to inadequate safety arrangements by the Kolkata Police.
— Kunal Ghosh (@KunalGhoshAgain) October 17, 2026
According to the police sources, 17 persons- three men, 13 women and a child succumbed to injuries while condition of many others were stated to be critical. The casualties could rise as more victims continued to be taken to the hospital.
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Senior police officials rushed to the spot, and Disaster Management Group personnel were deployed to carry out rescue operations.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendhu Adhikari and Health Minister Saradwat Mukherjee rushed to the hospital.
Following the accident, the West Bengal government has launched a toll-free helpline. For information related to the incident, please call 18003455678, the state government said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the incident and announced that an ex gratia payment of Rs. 2 lakh from Prime Minister Nation Releif Fund would be given to the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.
The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 17, 2026
Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his condolences over the tragedy in a post on X. He said he had spoken to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari regarding the incident and prayed for the victims and their families.
“I have spoken with Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari ji regarding this matter. I pray for the peace of the souls of the devotees who lost their lives in this tragedy and express my condolences to their families,” Shah said.
The Union minister had cancelled his programmes in West Bengal scheduled for Sunday in the wake of a stampede. He will visit the hospital to meet the injured on Sunday.
अभी-अभी कोलकाता के चोरबागान सार्वजनिक दुर्गा पूजा पंडाल में हुई भगदड़ का अत्यंत दु:खद समाचार मिला। इस संबंध में मुख्यमंत्री श्री शुभेंदु अधिकारी जी से बात की। इस हादसे में जान गँवाने वाले श्रद्धालुओं की आत्मा की शांति की प्रार्थना करता हूँ और परिवारजनों के प्रति संवेदनाएँ व्यक्त करता हूँ। प्रशासन द्वारा घायलों को हर संभव चिकित्सा सुविधा उपलब्ध करवाई जा रही है। पश्चिम बंगाल के अपने कल के सभी कार्यक्रम स्थगित कर अस्पताल जाकर घायलों से मिलूँगा। माँ दुर्गा से सभी घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की प्रार्थना करता हूँ।
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 17, 2026
Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she was deeply shocked about the stampede-like situation at Chorbagan puja pandal.
“Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the stampede at the Chorbagan puja pandal. I pray to Maa Durga for the speedy recovery of all those injured and for strength and courage for their families during this difficult time,” she said.
Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the stampede at the Chore Bagan Puja Pandal. I pray to Maa Durga for the speedy recovery of all those injured and for strength and courage for their families during this difficult time.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) October 17, 2026
TMC leader Kunal Ghosh termed the incident ‘unfortunate’ and urged the police administration to ensure immediate medical assistance for the injured and called for additional doctors and medical staff to be deployed at the hospital. He said determining the cause of the incident could wait, stressing that the immediate priority was to save lives and ensure treatment for the seriously injured.
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