'At least 18 dead', many injured in stampede in Kolkata’s Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal

The accident occurred as large numbers of devotees gathered at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal to celebrate Durga Puja on Maha Saptami evening.

"At least 18 people died and one person is in a critical condition," West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said, adding that at least 25 people were being treated. "We cannot return the dead but we will do everything in our means to assist and write to the Calcutta High Court chief justice for a Special Investigation Team (SIT)," he said.

"We have taken the CCTV footage of the incident. We will take steps if we find lapses by anyone in the crowd management," he said. 

The CM posted on X: "Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic stampede at the Chorbagan Puja pandal in North Kolkata today. My 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, and senior officials are with me, and we are continuously monitoring the situation. Cabinet colleagues and Rajya Sabha MP Shri Samik Bhattacharya accompanied me when I personally visited the injured at the hospital. We are continuously taking stock of ground operations," he said.

"Our immediate priority is providing medical care to the injured and extending every possible support and assistance to the affected families," he said.

The State Government has announced Rs. 25 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, Adhikari said.

The Emergency Toll-Free Helpline number: 1800 345 5678 has been activated for People in distress.

Injured rushed to hospital

Following the incident, those injured were evacuated from the site and taken to Calcutta Medical College Hospital, where at least 18 of them were declared dead.

 In Images: Trail Of Grief As Kolkata'S Chorbagan Durga Puja Tragedy Claims 18 Lives

Sources in the hospital said several of the injured were in critical condition.

At first, locals started rescue operations, and later police personnel and disaster management officials rushed to the scene and joined the rescue efforts.

A senior doctor at the hospital said the death toll could mount as many of the injured were in critical condition.

Pandal closed

Following the incident, police have closed spectators' entry to the pandal indefinitely, while senior officials of the city police have reached the scene for investigation.

Chief Minister visits hospital

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendy Adhikari visited the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital to meet the injured and to take stock of the situation.

According to sources, he held talks with doctors and asked them to continue treatment of the injured smoothly.

Mamata Banerjee expresses shock

Former Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock and sadness over the incident at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal.She prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured and wished their families strength and courage as they dealt with the situation.

"Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the stampede at the Chore Bagan Puja Pandal," Banerjee wrote on her Facebook page. "I pray to Maa Durga for the speedy recovery of all those injured and for strength and courage for their families during this difficult time."