A deadly stampede during a Hindu religious festival in eastern India left at least 17 people dead and 25 others injured on Saturday. Local officials said the disaster struck in north Kolkata in the state of West Bengal during the Durga Puja festival. The annual event draws thousands of worshippers to view temporary pavilions housing idols of the goddess Durga.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari told reporters that a seven-year-old girl was among those who lost their lives in the crush. Six bodies had been identified so far.
Police stated that the injured victims were rushed to hospital from a Durga Puja pandal. The tragedy unfolded in the evening amid heavy crowds of visitors and rainfall.
A senior police official at the location told reporters that an announcement caused a sudden commotion after rain began to fall. The crowd waiting outside the pavilion began pushing, pulling and rushing forward. People fell to the ground, triggering the fatal stampede.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the incident in a statement on social media. He extended condolences to the bereaved families and sent wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured. Modi noted that the West Bengal government was providing all possible assistance to the affected families.
The Prime Minister’s office announced financial compensation of 200,000 rupees, equivalent to roughly $2,106, for the next of kin of each person who died. An amount of 50,000 rupees, about $527, was allocated for each of the injured.
Interior Minister Amit Shah stated that the local administration was ensuring that comprehensive medical facilities were delivered to those hurt in the crush.
Deadly crowd surges occur with regularity at mass gatherings across India, particularly during religious festivals. These events are often driven by inadequate crowd management and safety shortcomings.
Previous crowd disasters include a stampede at the Kumbh Mela religious fair that claimed 30 lives, and an incident in Bengaluru where 11 cricket fans died during celebrations for a local team’s victory. In the southern state of Tamil Nadu, 36 people died in a stampede at a political campaign rally.
In 2024, a religious gathering in northern Uttar Pradesh state resulted in the deaths of 121 people during a similar crowd surge.
