The death toll in the stampede at Kolkata’s Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal has risen to 19, with 25 people injured, one of whom remains in critical condition. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will probe the tragedy, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s scheduled visit to the hospital treating the injured was cancelled.
Adhikari said the state government was making every possible effort to assist the affected families and ensure proper medical treatment for the injured. According to a News18 report, the government has announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh along with a government job for the family of each person who died. The injured will receive Rs 5 lakh each, with the government bearing the entire cost of their treatment.
Of the 25 injured, 24 are out of danger, according to the Chief Minister.
The administration has proposed forming an SIT to investigate the incident. Adhikari also said he would write to the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court seeking the formation of a fact-finding committee, involving the Special Task Force (STF) and forensic teams, to examine what happened.
Twelve people have been detained and are being interrogated in connection with the stampede. Those detained reportedly include organisers, volunteers and others associated with the event. Sources said the administration was also examining a possible conspiracy angle in the incident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described the stampede as extremely distressing and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for each injured person. “The stampede in Kolkata is extremely distressing. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest,” Modi said in a post on X. He added that the local administration was providing all possible assistance to those affected.
A police officer said the crush began when it started raining and the crowd waiting outside the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal rushed forward, with some people falling on the road. Disaster management personnel have been deployed at the site.
Adhikari and Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal visited the state-run hospital where the injured were taken. Health Minister Saradwat Mukherjee and senior officials also rushed to the facility, where the Union Home Minister’s planned visit was called off.
Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she was deeply shocked by the stampede-like situation at the Chorbagan pandal. “Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the stampede at the Chorbagan 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,” she said.
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/india/kolkata-durga-puja-stampede-17-dead-25-injured-pm-modi-announces-rs-2-lakh-ex-gratia-14053590.html
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Publish Date: 2026-10-18 09:22:00
