19 Killed, 25 Injured in Stampede at Durga Puja Pandal in Kolkata

Kolkata: The death toll in a stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata has risen to 19. One person is in critical condition, while 25 injured people are undergoing treatment in hospitals. The deceased include 13 women and a child.

The incident occurred around 7.40 pm on Saturday at Chor Bagan, near Sharada Park in north Kolkata. Eyewitnesses said the rain prompted people to rush into the narrow area where the Puja was being held, leading to the tragedy. They also said the area was poorly lit.

Rescue operations were carried out by the police, fire and rescue services and disaster management teams. The injured were shifted to Medical College Hospital.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal visited the hospital to assess the rescue operations. The Chief Minister said the government had directed officials to expedite the post-mortem procedures of the deceased.

The Prime Minister extended his condolences. He also directed Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is in West Bengal, to coordinate the rescue operations. He also announced that an ex gratia payment of Rs. 2 lakh from Prime Minister Nation Releif Fund would be given to the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.

The West Bengal government said it would ask the Calcutta High Court to constitute a fact-finding committee to investigate the incident.