The Kolkata Police said a stampede broke out around 7.40 pm at the exit gate of the Chorebagan Sarbojanin Puja Pandal in the Girish Park Police Station area due to “heavy crowds of pandal visitors during rain”.
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Kolkata Police
New Delhi: Kolkata Police have initiated an investigation into whether lapses in crowd management, confusion over entry and exit routes, and heavy rain contributed to the stampede at Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal that left 19 people dead on Saturday eveningAs per several eyewitnesses, the announcements about entry, exit, and crowd movement were improper, leaving visitors confused during the rush hours.
Locals also claimed that police deployment at the pandal was inadequate, alleging that personnel were mainly stationed near the VIP entrance“I have not seen adequate police presence this yearThis resulted in the mismanagement,” Sanghamitra Bhowmik, a resident of the Chorbagan area, said.
Locals also alleged that there was little administrative assistance in taking the injured to hospitals.
“There must be some lapses, but these should be probedWhether lapses were on the part of the organisers or they had flouted the rules to erect the pandal will be checked,” the police officer told PTI.
The police are examining the circumstances that led to the incident, crowd control measures, arrangements at the venue and the response of the authorities during the emergency, he said.
“Eyewitness accounts and other evidence will be examined as part of the investigation,” he added.
Forensic Team Reaches Chorbagan Puja Pandal Area
A forensic team reached the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal area late at night and started collecting pieces of evidence from the spot, a senior police officer saidKolkata Police officers are also talking to the organisers of the Chorbagan Durga Puja and have sought the list of security guards and those employed to manage the crowd there, he said.
“We will also talk to the policemen who were posted thereOur officers are talking to the puja organisersWe are preparing the list of people and examining the CCTV footage to find out their respective roles during the time of the mishap,” he added.
Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic stampede at the Chorbagan Puja pandal at North Kolkata todayMy heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones in this devastating incident.
The Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, DGP, CP & Senior Officials are with me, we are continuously monitoring the situationCabinet Colleagues and Rajya Sabha MP Shri Samik Bhattacharya accompanied me when I personally visited the injured at the HospitalWe are continuously taking stock of ground operations.
Our immediate priority is providing immediate medical care to the injured and extending every possible support and assistance to the affected families.
As per reports, 17 individuals have tragically lost their lives, and 25 people are currently undergoing treatmentOne person remains in critical condition under close observation.
The State Government has announced Rs25 lakhs and Govt Jobs as compensation for the victims’ families and we will be taking steps for constituting a STF under a Sitting Judge for fair investigation.
Praying for the swift and complete recovery of all those injured.
The Emergency Toll-Free Helpline number: 1800 345 5678 has been activated for People in distress.— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) October 17, 2026
CM Suvendu Adhikari Visited Hospital
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the hospital where the injured are undergoing treatment.
“Many pandals are dimly lit in the name of theme puja,” he said, urging the organisers to follow the advice of the authorities.
A large number of Durga puja organisers in Kolkata and other places in the state compete with each other in making their pandals more attractive by setting up theme-based creations.
According to the family members of two of the deceased, the blowing of whistles by private security guards at the pandal area led to a rush among the people there, the chief minister said.
Police Commissioner Visits Hospital:
Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nanda also visited the hospital where the injured are undergoing treatmentAccording to sources at Kolkata Medical College and Hospital, the injured were admitted to the emergency for treatment, while 11 patients were shifted to SSKM Hospital.
A source at the medical college said the 13 women and a child were among the deceased.
The West Bengal government has set up a toll-free helpline, 18003455678, for people seeking information about those affected by the incident.
(With PTI Inputs)
