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Kolkata stampede: 19 killed at Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal; CM announces Rs 25 lakh ex-gratia
As it started raining, the crowd waiting outside the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal rushed forward, triggering the stampede
At least 19 people died, and 25 others were injured in a stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata late Saturday (October 18) evening.
"Seventeen people were brought dead to a hospital, while 25 others were injured," said West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
He said an announcement by the organisers of the community Durga Puja at Chorbagan off Chittaranjan Avenue in north Kolkata led to a rush among the revellers, causing the "painful incident".
As it started raining, the crowd waiting outside the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal rushed forward, and some fell on the road, triggering the stampede, a police officer said. Adhikari and Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal visited the state-run hospital where the injured were taken, he said.
Health Minister Saradwat Mukherjee and senior officials also rushed to the hospital. Disaster management personnel have been deployed at the site, the officer said.
(With Agency inputs)