Kolkata Durga Puja Pandal Stampede: 7 Arrested After 19 Killed, 25 Injured at Chorbagan Sarbojanin

Seven people, including members of the organising committee, have been arrested following a stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata that claimed at least 19 lives and left around 25 people injured on Saturday evening, October 17. The incident occurred around 7.40 pm amid heavy rainfall and a massive gathering of devotees.

According to Kolkata Police, the stampede took place near the exit gate of the Sarada Park (Chor Bagan) Durga Puja pandal under Girish Park police station. Eyewitnesses cited overcrowding, narrow entrance and exit gates and inadequate lighting as possible contributing factors. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Kolkata Durga Puja Stampede: 7 Arrested, Probe Underway

Police initially detained nearly a dozen people for questioning to determine the circumstances that led to the tragedy. Seven people were subsequently arrested in connection with the case. Investigators are examining possible lapses in crowd management and safety arrangements at the venue.

Those injured were taken to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Police, fire brigade personnel and disaster management teams were deployed at the site, while the pandal was closed to visitors following the incident. Kolkata Stampede: Death Toll Rises to 19, West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari Announces INR 2.5 Lakh Compensation.

Jayanta Banerjee, general secretary of the Chorbagan Durga Puja Committee, resigned from his post after the stampede. Other office-bearers of the committee also confirmed their resignations.

Eyewitnesses Cite Overcrowding, Narrow Gates

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as devotees struggled amid the heavy crowd. One witness told ANI that several people lost consciousness and some were transported away on motorcycles.

Another eyewitness said the entrance and exit gates were narrow and the area lacked adequate lighting. The witness also said their daughter and granddaughter had been hospitalised after the incident. Kolkata Durga Puja Pandal Stampede: 17 Dead, 15 Injured; Amit Shah Speaks to Suvendu Adhikari, Postpones Bengal Programmes.

The West Bengal government has issued a toll-free helpline number, 18003455678, to assist people affected by the tragedy.

West Bengal Government Announces Compensation

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited Calcutta Medical College and Hospital along with Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal. Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee also visited the injured.

Adhikari announced that a fact-finding committee headed by a sitting High Court judge would investigate the incident. The state government also announced government jobs and compensation of INR 25 lakh for the families of those who died.

The government will cover the medical treatment of all injured people and provide INR 5 lakh to each injured person, according to a statement released by the West Bengal Chief Minister's Office.

PM Narendra Modi Announces Ex-Gratia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced financial assistance from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF). The next of kin of each deceased person will receive INR 2 lakh, while those injured will receive INR 50,000 each.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed condolences and said he had spoken to Adhikari about the situation. Shah postponed his scheduled programmes in West Bengal to visit the injured in hospital.

President Droupadi Murmu, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Governor RN Ravi and former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed condolences. Rahul Gandhi called for immediate medical assistance and a fair investigation into the tragedy.

The Trinamool Congress questioned the reported arrangements for police deployment, civic volunteers, ambulances and crowd management at the venue, demanding accountability from the authorities.

Heavy Rain Amid Durga Puja Pandal-Hopping

Heavy rain lashed Kolkata and adjoining areas from Saptami afternoon on Saturday. Although showers briefly subsided, rainfall resumed in the evening as devotees continued visiting Durga Puja pandals across the city.

The Chorbagan Sarbojanin pandal was among the popular destinations attracting visitors during the festive season.

Chorbagan Sarbojanin Celebrates 91st Year

The Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja committee is celebrating its 91st year with the theme 'AROB', a Bengali term associated with being away from sound and noise.

The pandal features Goddess Durga and her children in deep meditation, with lighting and sound arrangements designed to create a peaceful atmosphere. Unlike the traditional depiction of Durga as a warrior fighting Mahishasura, the goddess is portrayed in a serene state, while Mahishasura is shown surrendering his weapons.

Organisers said the theme aims to promote peace, calmness and composure amid global violence and conflict. The tragedy, however, has prompted scrutiny of crowd control and safety measures at the popular Kolkata Durga Puja venue.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 18, 2026 10:33 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).