Kolkata Pandal Stampede LIVE: 17 Dead at Chorbagan, CM Says
Image: Telangana Today
A crowd crush at the exit gate of the Sarada Park (Chorbagan) Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening left dozens of visitors injured. Kolkata Police said the incident took place at around 7:40 pm on Maha Saptami, when a heavy rush of pandal visitors built up during rain, and that around 35 people had been taken to Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. Some of the injured were also taken to NRS and RG Kar Medical College, Bartaman reported.
Death toll: what is being reported
IPB will report a death toll only when Kolkata Police, the West Bengal government or the hospital confirms it. Until then, these figures are unverified.
- 17Chief Minister Suvendu AdhikariOFFICIAL“Tragically, 17 people have lost their lives,” the Chief Minister told Zee 24 Ghanta; 6 of the deceased have been identified. Kolkata Police have not issued a separate figure.
- 20Ei Muhurte and TV9 Bangla (Bengali)UNVERIFIEDEi Muhurte cites an unnamed source at Medical College and reports 45 people admitted, 15 of them critical. TV9 Bangla does not name a source.
- 17Bartaman and The Wall (Bengali)UNVERIFIEDBartaman reports 17 dead, including a child, without naming a source. The Wall describes 17 deaths as a preliminary fear and says the toll could be higher.
- 17National Herald and Deccan HeraldUNVERIFIEDBoth report at least 17 deaths, citing hospital sources.
Why the numbers differ: the early figures come from unnamed hospital and local sources, and outlets have counted at different times. Treat any number as provisional until it is officially confirmed.
Live timeline (IST)
Newest first. Updated as official information comes in.
- NEW
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari told Zee 24 Ghanta that 17 people have died and 6 of the deceased have been identified, India.com reports. The Prime Minister’s Office announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those killed. Kolkata Police have not issued a separate toll.
Local Bengali outlets report differing death tolls of 17 to 20, all unconfirmed. The state government has opened a toll-free helpline, 1800 345 5678, The Wall reports.
No official death toll yet. Hospital-source reports of at least 17 deaths remain unconfirmed by police.
PTI, quoting a senior police officer, reports at least 25 people taken to hospital in serious condition. Health Minister Saradwat Mukherjee and senior officials reach the hospital.
Kolkata Police say a “stampede incident took place at the exit gate” due to “heavy rush of pandal hoppers during rain”. Around 35 people moved to MCH; the pandal is closed. “Details are awaited,” police said.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visits the hospital and directs officials to ensure the best possible treatment, IANS reports. Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal also visits.
Police reinforcements, the Fire Brigade, the Disaster Management Group and ambulances with medical teams are sent to the site. Organisers stop entry and switch off the pandal lights.
Crush at the exit gate as rain begins and people waiting outside surge forward. Some fall onto the wet road, police told PTI.
What witnesses and organisers said
An eyewitness whose daughter and granddaughter were hospitalised told IANS: “The entrance was very narrow, and the exit gate was also narrow. There was no lighting in the area.” Another witness told ANI that several people lost consciousness and some of the injured were taken to hospital on motorcycles.
Bikash Das, a puja organiser, told reporters: “It is not clear as of now how this incident happened.” Some reports said part of the exit gate structure gave way under crowd pressure; this has not been officially confirmed.
Unconfirmed reports under investigation
Bartaman, citing a Kolkata Police source, reported that the fire service had raised objections to the narrow passages inside the pandal, and that two members of the puja committee had been detained. Some visitors told the paper there was no emergency exit. Police have not officially confirmed these reports.
Political reactions
Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was “deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the stampede at the Chorbagan puja pandal”. TMC leader Kunal Ghosh urged the administration to act immediately and not obstruct the media.
Safety advice for puja visitors
Saptami, Ashtami and Navami are the busiest nights of Kolkata’s Durga Puja, with lakhs of people moving between pandals in narrow north Kolkata lanes. The questions now are about exit width, lighting and crowd control when sudden rain sends visitors rushing for cover.
Over the next three nights, follow police crowd instructions, avoid pushing toward exits in rain, and keep children close.
Read more from IPB’s Daily Updates and our earlier reporting on Kolkata’s Durga Puja crowds.
Based on reporting by PTI via Telangana Today, IANS via The Hans India, The Statesman, National Herald, Deccan Herald, Bartaman, The Wall, Ei Muhurte and TV9 Bangla,, India.com, and a Kolkata Police statement.
Image: Telangana Today.
