📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / HridoyKundu
Local
17 Killed in Stampede at Kolkata Durga Puja Pandal
✍️ The Hindu
🗓 18 Oct 2026, 01:32 AM
👁 20
A stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata left 17 people dead and dozens injured, authorities said.
A sudden crush of people at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata resulted in 17 fatalities, officials confirmed. Emergency services rushed to the scene and transported several injured to nearby hospitals, where they are receiving treatment.
Police have cordoned off the area and are conducting a preliminary investigation to determine the cause of the panic. Witnesses reported that the crowd was unusually dense as devotees gathered to view the elaborate decorations.
State authorities have announced a mourning period and promised a thorough inquiry, emphasizing the need for stricter crowd‑control measures at future religious gatherings.
The incident has sparked calls from community leaders for better safety protocols during the month‑long Durga Puja festivities, which attract millions of visitors each year.
Police have cordoned off the area and are conducting a preliminary investigation to determine the cause of the panic. Witnesses reported that the crowd was unusually dense as devotees gathered to view the elaborate decorations.
State authorities have announced a mourning period and promised a thorough inquiry, emphasizing the need for stricter crowd‑control measures at future religious gatherings.
The incident has sparked calls from community leaders for better safety protocols during the month‑long Durga Puja festivities, which attract millions of visitors each year.