At least 19 devotees were killed, and 25 others were injured in a stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening, 17th October, during Maha Saptami. The tragedy occurred around 7:15 pm as a large crowd gathered to visit the pandal amid heavy rain.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the injured at Kolkata Medical College and Hospital to meet the injured and the families of the deceased. Police have launched an investigation into the incident, focusing on crowd management, possible confusion over announcements, and entry and exit arrangements.
Kolkata pandal stampede: Bengal govt forms SIT, announces Rs 25 lakh ex-gratia, job for victims’ kin Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/Pg4jucQpwJ #KolkataStampede #SIT #exgratia #stategovernment #Kalighat https://t.co/h8rhsV1ozf
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) October 18, 2026
What triggered the Kolkata Pandal stampede?
According to preliminary accounts, a sudden rush of devotees, heavy rain,fall and confusion over crowd movement have contributed to the stampede. A large number of people were waiting on the narrow Radha Madhab Saha Lane to enter the pandal when a downpour began, and the crowd surged forward.
Visitors already inside the venue were caught in the rush and struggled to move towards the exit because people ahead were blocking their way. Several people fell down a flight of stairs near the exit and were trampled by those behind them.
Adhikari said a misleading announcement by the puja committee may have added to the confusion. He also pointed to the possible role of whistles blown by private security guards.
#WATCH | Kolkata’s Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja stampede incident | West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari says, “This is a tragic incident. 19 people have lost their lives, 17 of whom died on the spot… 25 people have been injured; 24 of them are out of danger, while one remains in critical condition. The government is making every possible effort… we are working even through the night, and we have also announced compensation. 13 members from the affected families met with me and expressed their trust in the government… The Union Home Minister’s scheduled programs have been cancelled. We stand with all the affected families. The families of the deceased will receive a compensation of Rs 25 lakh and a government job. The government will cover the entire cost of medical treatment for the injured, and they will also be provided with compensation of Rs 5 lakh each. I will write to the Chief Justice of the Kolkata High Court requesting the formation of a ‘fact-finding committee.’ This committee will include the STF and forensic teams… and we will conduct an investigation accordingly…”
— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2026
“Initial input from the ACP who was present at the spot suggests that the incident was triggered by an announcement made by a private security agency and the blowing of whistles,” the chief minister said.
However, the exact sequence of events is still being investigated.
Eyewitnesses describe overcrowding and confusion
Eyewitnesses said continuous rainfall and overcrowding made the situation difficult to control. Speaking to ANI, Vinay Kumar said that despite police personnel being present, the crowd became unmanageable during the sudden rush. “This tragic incident occurred due to continuous rainfall. There was an excessive crowd here, and they did not want to get out in the rain. The police administration was fully functional, but the crowd could not be handled,” he said.
Locals also questioned whether enough police personnel had been deployed at the venue. Sanghamitra Bhowmik, a resident of Chorbagan, told PTI, “I have not seen adequate police presence this year. This resulted in the mismanagement.”
A senior police officer said investigators would examine whether there were lapses in crowd management or violations of safety rules during the construction of the pandal.
“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 officer told PTI.
A forensic team visited the site late on Saturday to collect evidence. Police are questioning the organisers, examining CCTV footage and gathering details about the security guards and other personnel deployed at the venue. Officers assigned to the location will also be questioned.
State orders safety checks at Durga Puja Pandals
Following the tragedy, Adhikari announced a high-level committee to inspect major Durga Puja pandals across West Bengal. The panel will review crowd management, exit routes, lighting and structural safety. It will include Disaster Management Principal Secretary Rajesh Sinha, Fire Services Director General Anuj Sharma and Additional Director General of Police Javed Shamim.
The chief minister urged organisers to follow safety guidelines and ensure that elaborate decorations do not put visitors at risk. He also called for wider exits, better lighting and the removal of bottlenecks created by temporary rope enclosures. Where complex structures restrict movement, organisers may be advised to limit rituals to the inner sanctum and use LED screens outside.
According to Kolkata Police, a suo motu case has been registered at Girish Park Police Station under Sections 105, 110, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the organisers and others in connection with the stampede. Police have detained 14 people and are questioning them.
Kolkata’s Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja stampede incident | According to Kolkata Police, a suo motu case has been registered at Girish Park Police Station under Sections 105, 110, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the organisers and others in connection with the stampede. Fourteen people have been detained and are being questioned.
— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2026
Government announces compensation; PM Modi expresses grief
The West Bengal government has announced ₹25 lakh in compensation and a Group D government job for the family of each deceased victim. A toll-free helpline, 18003455678, has also been set up to help people seeking information about those affected.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to the next of kin of each person killed, while those injured will receive ₹50,000 each.
The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 17, 2026
“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. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected: PM @narendramodi,” the Prime Minister’s Office posted.
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. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 17, 2026
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed grief over the incident and said he had spoken to the chief minister about the tragedy. “I pray to Maa Durga that all the injured individuals recover swiftly,” he posted on X.
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
The investigation will now focus on how the crowd surge began, whether announcements and security arrangements contributed to the confusion, and whether any lapses by the organisers or authorities played a role in the loss of life.
