Kolkata Durga Puja Pandal Stampede: 17 Dead, 15 Injured; Amit Shah Speaks to Suvendu Adhikari, Postpones Bengal Programmes

At least 17 people were killed and 15 injured in a stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday, October 17. The incident occurred amid heavy rain and a surge of people waiting to enter the pandal. Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to express grief over the loss of lives and postponed his scheduled programmes in the state on Sunday.

The incident prompted an emergency response, with injured people taken to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital for treatment. However, reports on the number of injured varied, with an earlier police statement cited by The Times of India putting the number at at least 25. Kolkata Durga Puja Pandal Stampede: 17 Dead, 15 Injured, Says West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari.

Rain and Crowd Surge Trigger Stampede at Kolkata Pandal

The incident took place at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata at around 7.40 pm on Saturday, in the area under Girish Park police station. According to a senior police officer quoted in media reports, heavy rain prompted people waiting outside the pandal to rush forward. Several people fell on the road, triggering a stampede-like situation amid the crowd surge. The injured were rushed to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Police and emergency personnel responded to the incident as authorities worked to manage the situation.

Amit Shah Defers Bengal Programmes After Kolkata Stampede

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

Amit Shah Speaks to Suvendu Adhikari, Postpones Bengal Programmes

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari after the incident and expressed grief over the deaths. He also conveyed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished the injured a speedy recovery. Shah postponed his scheduled programmes in West Bengal on Sunday following the tragedy. He was expected to visit the injured in hospital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief over the incident and announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased person. The injured will receive Rs 50,000 each, according to reports. Stampede-Like Situation at Kolkata Durga Puja Pandal Leaves Several Injured, No Casualties Reported (Videos).

Suvendu Adhikari Reviews Medical Arrangements

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal, Health Minister Saradwat Mukherjee and other senior officials reached the hospital to review the situation and the treatment being provided to the injured. Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed grief over the incident and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured. Authorities continued to monitor the situation as details of the incident emerged. The exact circumstances that led to the crowd surge and stampede-like situation remain subject to further investigation.

Death Toll and Injury Figures

The latest reports cited by The Economic Times put the death toll at 17, with 15 people injured, based on the Chief Minister's statement. However, The Times of India separately reported that at least 25 people had sustained injuries, citing police. The injury count therefore requires further official clarification.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 17, 2026 11:31 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).