Kolkata stampede LIVE: Seven accused sent to 10-day police custody
CM Suvendu Adhikari announces Rs 25 lakh ex-gratia and jobs for kin of deceased, says government will form fact-finding team led by HC judge to probe incident
At least 19 people were killed and 25 others injured in a stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday (October 17). A majority of the deceased are said to be women and children.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who rushed to the Kolkata Medical College and Hospital, where the victims were taken, announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh and a Group D govt job for the family of each deceased. He said the government will take full responsibility for the treatment of the injured and provide Rs 5 lakh as compensation to each of them.
What led to the stampede?
The chief minister said the incident occurred at around 7.30 pm at Kolkata’s Chorbagan Sarbojanin puja pandal and an announcement by the organisers led to a rush among the revellers, causing the "painful incident".
"According to initial reports by the officials at the spot, the incident occurred owing to an announcement on the loudspeaker by the puja organisers," he said.
Even though investigators are still piecing together the sequence of incidents that led to the stampede, some reports also say that a heavy downpour and an announcement at the puja pandal led to chaos and the subsequent tragedy.
A TOI report says that as a drizzle turned into a heavy spell of rain, visitors were forced to take refuge inside the pandal.
A senior officer told New Indian Express that when it started raining, the crowd waiting outside the pandal rushed forward and, in the process, some of them fell, leading to the stampede.
Several visitors have also blamed the stampede on the alleged inadequate safety arrangements made by Kolkata Police.
The Chorbagan Durga Puja, which has gained popularity in recent years and draws a large number of revellers, is located on a narrow road off Chittaranjan Avenue.
According to the family members of two of the deceased, the blowing of a whistle by private security guards at the pandal area led to a rush among the people waiting to visit the pandal, the chief minister said.
Govt to form fact-finding panel
The chief minister said police have detained Chorbagan Durga Puja organisers, private security guards, and on-duty staff for questioning.
"It is a painful incident, and we are doing whatever is required. The Chorbagan Durga Puja organisers, private security guards and on-duty staff have been detained," he said.
The entire place has been sealed and the forensic, STF and fire brigade are conducting the initial investigation, he said.
Adhikari said the government will form a fact-finding committee headed by a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court and will act as per its recommendations.
Adhikari said that the administration's priority is to give proper treatment to the injured.
"Till now, family members of nine dead have reached here. I have spoken to them personally. Fact-finding will be done, and steps will be taken," the chief minister said.
Amit Shah’s events postponed
Adhikari said that all official programmes, including those of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, have been postponed due to the tragedy.
Shah arrived in Kolkata and was scheduled to visit some Durga Puja pandals on Sunday.
Stating that the state government stands with the families of the deceased and injured, the chief minister said the Chorbagan community Durga Puja pandal has been closed.
He said that the stampede site has been handed over to the forensic department, the police STF, and the Fire Brigade for investigation.
The chief minister urged all theme-based Durga Puja organisers to ensure proper lighting at the venue and adequate entry-exit gates for the visitors.
"Many pandals are dimly lit in the name of theme puja," he said, urging the organisers to follow the advice of the authorities.
"Lives of people are more valuable than themes," he said.
Caution for other pandals
The administration has also advised several popular pandals with themes to temporarily close down the pandals. Kolkata flaunts around 3,500 such pandals during Durga Puja.
A large number of Durga Puja organisers in Kolkata and other places in the state compete with each other in making their pandals more attractive by setting up theme-based creations.
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Live Updates
- 18 Oct 2026 8:12 AM IST
Eyewitnesses allege crowd management lapses, police initiate probe
Kolkata Police are investigating whether lapses in crowd management, confusion over entry and exit routes and heavy rain contributed to the stampede at Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal.
Several eyewitnesses alleged that announcements about entry, exit and crowd movement were improper, leaving visitors confused during the rush hours.
Locals also claimed that police deployment at the pandal was inadequate, alleging that personnel were mainly stationed near the VIP entrance.
"I have not seen adequate police presence this year. This resulted in the mismanagement," Sanghamitra Bhowmik, a resident of the Chorbagan area, said.
Locals also alleged that there was little administrative assistance in taking the injured to hospitals.
"There must be some lapses, but these should be probed. Whether lapses were on the part of the organisers or they had flouted the rules to erect the pandal will be checked," the police officer told PTI.
The police are examining the circumstances that led to the incident, crowd control measures, arrangements at the venue and the response of the authorities during the emergency, he said.
"Eyewitness accounts and other evidence will be examined as part of the investigation," he added.
A forensic team reached the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal area late at night and started collecting pieces of evidence from the spot, a senior police officer said.
Kolkata Police officers are also talking to the organisers of the Chorbagan Durga Puja and have sought the list of security guards and those employed to manage the crowd there, he said.
"We will also talk to the policemen who were posted there. Our officers are talking to the puja organisers. We are preparing the list of people and examining the CCTV footage to find out their respective roles during the time of the mishap," he added.
According to the family members of two of the deceased, the blowing of whistles by private security guards at the pandal area led to a rush among the people there, the chief minister said
The West Bengal government has set up a toll-free helpline, 18003455678, for people seeking information about those affected by the incident.
- 18 Oct 2026 7:37 AM IST
Police detain 12, including puja pandal organisers
Police on Saturday night detained 12 people, including organisers of the Chorebagan Durga Puja in connection with their probe into the stampede in which 19 people died and 24 were injured, an officer said.
The move came after West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari promised strict action against those who failed to carry out their respective duties that allegedly led to the crowd mismanagement in the north Kolkata Durga Puja.
"We have detained 12 people in connection with our probe into the Chorebagan incident. Our officers are talking to them to find out the cause that led to today's mishap. If any lapses are found, we will act as per the law," the officer told PTI.
The stampede happened at the Chorebagan Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata following a crowd surge amid rain on Saturday evening, the day of Maha Saptami.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari earlier said, "An SIT headed by a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court will investigate the incident. The SIT will comprise members from STF, CID and other departments."
Anti-Rowdy Section (ARS) of Kolkata Police has collected CCTV footage of that place during the mishap.
- 18 Oct 2026 7:35 AM IST
'Shocked and saddened': Mamata offers condolences
Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she was "shocked and saddened" by the tragedy and said she would pray to Maa Durga to give strength to bereaved families.
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
