India
oi-Prakash KL
At least 17 people have died and 35 others have been injured in a stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari ordering a transparent investigation into the tragedy. Members of the puja committee and security agencies have been detained, according to the Chief Minister.
The stampede occurred on Saturday evening during Maha Saptami, when large crowds gathered to visit Durga Puja pandals across the city. Heavy rain prompted people to seek shelter at the Chorbagan pandal, triggering a sudden rush that led to the stampede.
A stampede at Kolkata’s Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal on Maha Saptami killed 17 and injured 25, triggered by heavy rain causing a crowd rush. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari ordered a transparent investigation, detaining committee members and security officials.
West Bengal Minister Umesh Rai said the sudden influx of people into the pandal caused the tragedy. He added that 17 people had died and 25 were injured, with the injured taken to different hospitals for treatment.
“Six of the deceased have been identified so far,” Rai said, adding that the injured were in stable condition.
The minister said the administration swung into action soon after receiving information about the incident. He also said the Chief Minister had been at the hospital for around two and a half hours and was personally reaching out to those undergoing treatment.
Suvendu Adhikari Promises Transparent Probe
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said a detailed investigation would be conducted into the incident and assured affected families of all possible assistance.
#WATCH | Kolkatas Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja stampede incident | West Bengal Minister Umesh Rai says, “…Those inclined toward politics will find an opportunity to play politics anywhere; however, I believe that in such adverse circumstances, the most significant humanitarian gesture is to stand by those who are injured and the families who have lost their loved ones. It would be far better to keep politics out of this. As for a message—organizers at all Puja pandals should consider increasing the number of entry and exit points. In areas where crowds are dense or where pandals have been set up in poorly lit (dark) spaces, proper lighting arrangements must be made. With Durga Puja set to continue for the next three to four days, if you notice an excessive crowd at your pandal, take immediate steps to manage it. We want Durga Puja to be celebrated and for people to enjoy themselves, but it is essential that no accidents occur. The organizers of the Durga Puja celebrations must keep this in mind”
— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2026
“A proper investigation will be done with full transparency. The puja committee members and the security agencies have been detained. All kinds of support will be provided to all families. This is a very sad incident,” he said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also postponed his scheduled programmes in West Bengal on Sunday to visit the injured in hospital. He had earlier spoken to the Chief Minister and expressed condolences over the deaths.
The state government has cancelled its scheduled programmes for Sunday involving the Home Minister, other ministers, MLAs and the Chief Minister, Rai said.
Umesh Rai Appeals To Organisers To Improve Crowd Management
Rai urged Durga Puja organisers across West Bengal to review their arrangements for managing crowds, particularly as celebrations are expected to continue for the next three to four days.
He called for more entry and exit points at pandals, adequate lighting in poorly lit areas and immediate crowd-control measures wherever visitor numbers become difficult to manage.
“We want Durga Puja to be celebrated and for people to enjoy themselves, but it is essential that no accidents occur,” the minister said, urging organisers to take the necessary precautions.
Explaining the circumstances that led to the stampede, Rai said a sudden downpour prompted a large number of people to seek shelter at the Chorbagan pandal. Amid the confusion, an announcement or a whistle may have prompted people to rush inside, he said, leading to a sudden surge in the crowd.
Rai also appealed to political leaders to refrain from politicising the incident, saying the priority should be to support the injured and families who have lost their loved ones.
“Those inclined toward politics will find an opportunity to play politics anywhere,” he said, adding that standing by the affected families would be the most meaningful response in the present circumstances.
