Stories
Kolkata Stampede Tragedy: 17 Dead at Chorbagan Puja Pandal as Political Blame Game Erupts
- •A tragic stampede at the Chorbagan Puja pandal in Kolkata claimed 17 lives and left several injured.
- •Rain and severe overcrowding contributed to the chaos during the Durga Puja celebrations.
- •Questions have emerged regarding the adequacy of security arrangements and the response of emergency services.
- •Witnesses provided differing accounts of the crowd management and assistance available during the incident.
Key Questions Answered
The tragic stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata occurred on Saturday evening, October 17, 2026, amid heavy rain and a massive crowd surge. The situation was further aggravated by intense heat, a narrow exit gate, and a section of the pandal reportedly collapsing under the heavy pressure.
The stampede and pandal collapse resulted in at least 17 fatalities and left around 35 others injured. The injured victims were rushed to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital for urgent medical treatment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each individual who lost their life. Additionally, an amount of Rs. 50,000 has been allocated for those who sustained injuries in the tragedy.
