Stampede at Kolkata Durga Puja venue kills 19, chief minister says

At least 19 people died in a stampede at a Durga Puja festival pavilion in north Kolkata on Saturday evening, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said, according to The Hindu.

Police said the crush happened at about 7.40pm local time (1.10am Sunday AEDT) at the exit gate of the Chorbagan Sarbojanin pavilion during heavy rain. Xinhua, citing local media, reported that thousands had gathered and that a sudden downpour sent people outside rushing in for shelter.

Mr Adhikari said 17 people were brought dead to Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. A child died at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital and another person died on the way to a private hospital. He said 25 people were being treated, one of them in a critical condition, the Hindustan Times reported. The toll stood at 19 in the latest reports reviewed at 2pm AEDT on Sunday.

Preliminary reports cited by The Hindu said organisers allegedly announced over a microphone that people should leave because the structure could collapse, and that private security staff allegedly blew whistles. Police said they were questioning 12 people, including organisers and volunteers, and had obtained CCTV footage.

Mr Adhikari said he would ask for a sitting Calcutta High Court judge to oversee a special investigation team. The state government announced compensation of ₹25 lakh for each victim’s family.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident “extremely distressing” in a post on X. The festival runs until Wednesday 21 October.