Kolkata Pandal Stampede LIVE: 19 Dead in Durga Puja Tragedy; PM Announces ₹2 Lakh Ex-Gratia

Several persons are feared dead following a stampede-like situation that broke out on Saturday (October 17) at Kolkata’s Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durgotstab, one of the city’s prominent Durga Puja pandals. According to reports, a large crowd had gathered at the pandal when a brief shower of rainfall prompted panic among devotees, many of whom rushed to take shelter at the exit gate, triggering the crush.

The majority of those feared dead and injured in the incident are reported to be women and children, raising serious concerns about crowd management at the popular puja venue during the festive season.

The injured have been shifted to Medical College, Kolkata, where they are currently receiving treatment. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and State Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee have reached the hospital to take stock of the situation and oversee the response to the tragedy.

Further details regarding the number of casualties and the condition of those injured are awaited as authorities assess the situation on the ground.

Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/kolkata-bengal-pandal-collapse-stampede-injured-death-updates-on-october-17-2026/article71597549.ece
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Publish Date: 2026-10-18 00:09:00