Kolkata Pandal Stampede: President Murmu, VP Radhakrishnan and Top Leaders Mourn Tragedy
President Murmu, VP Radhakrishnan, and other top leaders express grief over the tragic stampede at Kolkata's Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal.
The festive spirit of Durga Puja in West Bengal was shattered by a devastating Kolkata pandal stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal. The tragic incident, which occurred amidst heavy crowds, resulted in several fatalities and left numerous devotees injured, prompting a wave of grief and condolences from the highest offices of the Indian government.
National Leaders Express Deep Sorrow
President Droupadi Murmu reacted with profound sadness to the news of the tragedy. Describing the incident as "extremely heartbreaking," the President extended her deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and offered prayers for the quick recovery of those currently receiving medical treatment.
Vice President CP Radhakrishnan also shared his anguish over the event. In a post on X, he expressed his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed for the wellbeing of the injured victims of the stampede.
Heartfelt Condolences from Government Officials
The tragedy drew reactions from other prominent political figures and officials, who highlighted the pain of the devotees affected during the celebrations:
- Om Birla, Lok Sabha Speaker: Described the loss of lives at the Chor Bagan pandal as "extremely heartbreaking." He prayed for the departed souls to find peace and for the swift recovery of those injured in the "painful accident."
- Smriti Irani, BJP Leader: Expressed her deep sadness and solidarity with the grieving families, praying for their strength during this difficult time.
- Yogi Adityanath, UP Chief Minister: Expressed his grief over the loss of lives and prayed to Lord Shri Ram to grant peace to the deceased and strength to the families left behind.
The Incident at Chorbagan Sarbojanin
The stampede took place at the densely crowded Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal, one of the focal points of the city's festivities. As the crowd surged, the situation spiraled out of control, leading to the fatal crush. Emergency services acted quickly to shift the injured to nearby hospitals for urgent medical care.
"The news of the deaths of people in a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families." — President Droupadi Murmu