Kolkata Horror: 19 Dead in Chorbagan Durga Puja Pandal Stampede
A tragic stampede at Kolkata's Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal leaves 19 dead and many injured. Read about the cause and government response.
What was meant to be a celebration of faith turned into a scene of absolute carnage in North Kolkata. A massive Chorbagan Durga Puja stampede claimed the lives of 19 people, including several children and young girls, during the Saptami celebrations on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
Chaos Amidst the Rain
The tragedy unfolded at approximately 7:40 p.m. at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal, located within the jurisdiction of the Girish Park police station. Reports indicate that a sudden downpour triggered a panic as thousands of devotees rushed to seek shelter inside the pandal. The situation spiraled out of control due to a lethal combination of narrow exit points and structural flaws, leaving the crowd trapped in a suffocating surge.
Casualties and Injuries
The human cost of the disaster is devastating. While 19 people lost their lives, more than 25 others were injured in the crush. All the injured were rushed to the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital. According to medical reports, 24 of the injured are currently in stable condition, while one person continues to fight for their life in critical condition.
Accountability and Resignations
In the wake of the tragedy, the focus has shifted toward negligence and mismanagement. Authorities have already detained 12 individuals for interrogation, including members of the puja organizing committee and private security personnel tasked with crowd control.
Taking moral responsibility for the lapse, the general secretary of the Chorbagan Durga Puja Committee, Jayanta Banerjee, along with other office-bearers, has tendered their resignations.
Government Response and Compensation
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari confirmed the death toll and has ordered a high-level committee investigation to scrutinize structural safety and crowd management protocols.
The state government has announced a significant relief package for the victims:
- Families of the deceased: ₹25 lakh compensation and a Group D government job.
- Injured persons: ₹5 lakh each.
At the national level, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep grief and announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh for the kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured. President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan also issued statements of condolence.
High-Profile Visits and Support
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was already visiting West Bengal, cancelled all his official engagements to visit the injured victims at the hospital.
To assist families seeking information, the West Bengal government has set up a dedicated toll-free helpline: 18003455678. Meanwhile, the police investigation continues to determine exactly where the security protocols failed, leading to this avoidable catastrophe.