17 dead after stampede breaks out at Kolkata Durga Puja Pandal

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Security and police personnel control the area outside a Durga Puja pandal after the exit gate collapsed due to heavy crowd pressure, leading to a stampede-like situation, in Kolkata. | Photo Credit: PTI

At least 17 people, most of them women and children, died and 25 people were injured after a stampede broke out at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata on Saturday night (October 16, 2026). The incident took place around 7:40 p.m. at the exit gate of the Pandal, a statement from the police said.

According to reports, a large crowd had gathered at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durgotstab in Kolkata’s Girish Park area and tried to take shelter inside the pandal after a brief spell of rainfall.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said that the stampede broke out after a misleading announcement was made by the organisers of the Durga Puja pandal. He said that the organisers of the club have been detained at the local police station and an investigation will be held to ascertain the reasons behind the incident.

The injured have been admitted to a State-run health facility. “Our priority is to give medical aid to the injured. 17 persons have died. This is a painful incident. Of the 25 injured, one is critical, and 24 are stable. We stand by the family of the dead,” Mr. Adhikari said. The Chief Minister said that he is at Medical College, Kolkata and also spoke to the family of the deceased.

The Durga Puja pandal has been closed to the public after the stampede. After the incident, local people gave a hand to rescue the injured. Eyewitnesses said that there was not much police presence at the pandal when the stampede broke out. The pandal is located in a narrow area and access to it was blocked by stalls that have come up around the pandal.

Fire fighters, disaster management team, and senior police officials rushed to the spot for rescue operations, according to a police statement.

Reacting to the incident, President Droupadi Murmu expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extended her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. “The news of the deaths of people in a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata is extremely sad. I express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families. I pray for the swift recovery of those who have been injured”, Ms. Murmu said in a post on X.

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

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Kolkata on Saturday (October 17) evening. He was scheduled to visit several Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata on Sunday, but said in a social media post that he had cancelled all his scheduled engagements in the wake of the stampede.

“Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the stampede at the Chore Bagan Puja Pandal.