17 dead, 15 injured in stampede at Kolkata pandal; organisers detained

KOLKATA: At least 17 people died in a stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata's Chorbagan on Saturday evening, CM Suvendu Adhikari said. Police said the stampede in North Kolkata was triggered by heavy crowds amid rainfall.The incident took place around 7.40 pm in the Girish Park police station area amid heavy crowds of pandal hoppers and rain.As it started raining, people waiting outside the pandal rushed forward, and some fell on the road, triggering the stampede, a senior officer told PTI.All the injured were rescued and taken to Calcutta Medical College for treatment.The Kolkata police detained the pandal organisers and private security pandals, reported IANS.An eyewitness told news agency ANI, “Many people lost consciousness; some were being taken on motorcycles. I witnessed this happening all around—when people fainted, they were taken away on bikes. All of this took place, and there was a massive crowd as well...”Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, chief secretary Manoj Agarwal, health minister Saradwat Mukherjee and senior officials reached the hospital to meet the injured.Also Read: Kolkata pandal stampede: Heavy rush amid rain led to deadly incident - top developmentsPolice, fire brigade personnel, disaster management teams and medical teams were rushed to the spot, along with ambulances. The pandal has been closed to visitors.Police have also set up helplines at the Lalbazar Control Room for assistance in connection with the incident. The numbers are 18003455678 and 03322141310.West Bengal governor RN Ravi's office posted on X: "Saddened by the loss of precious lives in the stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief. Praying for the swift recovery of the injured."You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolkata | Silver Rate in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Petrol Price in Kolkata | Diesel Price in Kolkata | CNG Price in Kolkata | LPG Price in KolkataStay updated with the latest Kolkata news. Download the TOI App.