📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / HridoyKundu
Crime
19 Dead in Kolkata Durga Puja Stampede; 7 Arrested, 14 Detained
✍️ News18
🗓 18 Oct 2026, 12:39 PM
👁 19
A stampede at a Durga Puja venue in Kolkata left 19 people dead, prompting police to arrest seven and detain fourteen suspects.
A massive crowd gathered for Durga Puja celebrations in Kolkata turned chaotic when a sudden stampede broke out, resulting in the death of 19 individuals. Emergency services rushed to the scene, but the scale of the tragedy overwhelmed initial response efforts.
Kolkata police launched an immediate investigation, arresting seven persons they said were directly involved in causing the panic. In addition, fourteen more individuals were taken into custody for questioning over alleged negligence and crowd‑control failures.
Authorities have announced a thorough probe to determine the exact sequence of events and to hold accountable those responsible for lapses in safety measures. The city administration has also pledged to review crowd‑management protocols for future religious gatherings to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
Kolkata police launched an immediate investigation, arresting seven persons they said were directly involved in causing the panic. In addition, fourteen more individuals were taken into custody for questioning over alleged negligence and crowd‑control failures.
Authorities have announced a thorough probe to determine the exact sequence of events and to hold accountable those responsible for lapses in safety measures. The city administration has also pledged to review crowd‑management protocols for future religious gatherings to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.