At least 19 people died and 25 were injured in a stampede during the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata, West Bengal, eastern India, after heavy rain caused the crowd to rush to seek shelter. The narrow entrance and exit contributed to the crush. Authorities have ordered an investigation into possible crowd management failures.
The stampede occurred near the exit of the Durga Puja festival venue, known as the Pandal, in the Shyambazar area under the Kirishpark police station in northern Kolkata at around 19:40 on Saturday, 17 October. The incident resulted in at least 19 deaths and 25 injuries.
Reports indicate that among the deceased were 13 women and a 7-year-old girl. Authorities initially identified six victims and have begun returning some of the bodies to their families.
Kolkata police stated that the incident took place amid heavy rain and a large crowd attending the event, causing congestion at the entrance and exit points. Rescue teams, firefighters, disaster management units, and ambulances with medical staff were deployed to assist the victims. The injured were taken to Medical College Hospital and Kolkata Hospital.
A witness, whose daughter and niece were hospitalized, said the entrance and exit were narrow and poorly lit. Attendees had waited in line for up to 90 minutes. When the rain began, people rushed inside, leading to someone falling and being trampled by the crowd behind, triggering the stampede.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who visited the injured at the hospital, noted that announcements by event organizers may have caused the crowd to surge, leading to the tragedy. However, the exact cause and sequence of events remain under investigation.
Authorities have detained some event organizers, private security personnel, and staff present during the incident to investigate crowd control and safety lapses. CCTV footage is being reviewed to determine responsibility. A special investigation team has been formed, led by the state's High Court judge.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and announced compensation of 200,000 rupees (approximately 70,000 baht) per family, wishing a speedy recovery for the injured. Home Minister Amit Shah canceled some engagements in West Bengal to visit the injured.
Durga Puja is a major Hindu festival venerating Goddess Durga, with about 3,500 temporary venues and pavilions set up across Kolkata. Following the incident, authorities advised several densely attended venues to close temporarily.
Fatal stampedes have recurred in India during large gatherings. In January 2025, at least 30 people died in a stampede at the Magh Mela festival. In 2024, 121 died in a similar incident during a religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh. These events highlight the risks posed by overcrowding and inadequate crowd control at large-scale events.