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Kolkata Puja Stampede Horror: Eyewitnesses Recall Darkness And Chaos
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News18•17-10-2026, 23:25
Kolkata Puja Stampede Horror: Eyewitnesses Recall Darkness And Chaos
- •A tragic stampede at the Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata claimed 17 lives and injured several others on Saturday evening.
- •Eyewitnesses reported that narrow entry and exit gates, heavy rain, and a massive weekend crowd contributed to the deadly disaster.
- •A local witness stated that lack of proper lighting and confined spaces caused panic as devotees rushed to enter during the downpour.
- •Some attendees alleged a total absence of police or volunteers at the scene during the critical moments of the chaos.
- •Kolkata Police confirmed that all injured individuals were rescued and rushed to hospitals for immediate medical attention.
Key Questions Answered
The stampede was triggered by a massive weekend crowd surge, heavy rainfall, narrow entry and exit gates, and poor lighting conditions around the Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal. The pressure of the crowd during the downpour caused people to lose their balance in the dark, leading to the tragic incident.
The tragic stampede resulted in 17 fatalities and left 35 others injured. The injured individuals were promptly rescued and rushed to the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital for urgent medical treatment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs. 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the families of each individual who lost their lives in the tragedy, while those injured will receive Rs. 50,000.
