Kolkata pandal stampede LIVE | At least 19 dead, 25 others injured; CM Adhikari announces ₹25 lakh ex gratia

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Tell tale signs - Police trying to control crowd outside a Durga Puja pandal after a stampede-like situation, in Kolkata. Photo credit: Special arrangement

W est Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari confirms 17 dead in the Kolkata Durga Puja pandal stampede on Saturday night (October 16, 2026). CM Adhikari said the stampede broke out after a misleading announcement at the Puja Pandal. 25 injured, 24 are stable, 1 is critical,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as “extremely distressing” and announced compensation of ₹2 lakh for the dead and ₹50,000 for the injured. He said the local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected.

A stampede broke out at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata on Saturday night (October 16). According to reports, a large crowd had gathered at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durgotsav and tried to take shelter at the exit gate of the pandal after a brief shower of rainfall. The majority of those who are feared dead and injured include women and children. The injured have been shifted to Medical College, Kolkata. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and State Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee have reached the hospital.

After the stampede, firefighters have reached the accident spot for rescue operations. Senior police officials and a disaster management team have reached the spot. Additional Commissioner of Police ( Crime) Kunal Agarwal visited the spot and is likely to visit the injured at the hospital within some time.

The Prime Minister has announced that an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives. The injured would be given ₹50,000.

Kolkata police has issued the following helpline numbers for those in need of assistance:

Offering his heartfelt condolences to those who lost their lives in the Kolkata pandal stampede, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said the tragic Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata is extremely heartbreaking.

CM Fadnavis said, “I offer my heartfelt condolences to those who lost their lives in this unfortunate incident. My deepest sympathies are with the grieving families.”

“Wrong announcements were made that the Durga Puja pandal had collapsed, so the crowd started rushing, which led to the tragedy. There were hardly any officials or security personnel who came to the rescue,” a local eyewitness told The Hindu, raising allegations.

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the stampede at the Chore Bagan Puja Pandal.”

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that relief and rescue efforts are underway to ensure timely assistance to all those affected. “My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” he added.

Offering his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi said, “The news of the stampede at the Chorbagan Puja pandal in Kolkata is extremely heartbreaking.