At least 17 people were killed and 25 others injured when a stampede broke out during a Hindu religious festival in eastern India, officials said. The incident happened on Saturday evening in north Kolkata, in the state of West Bengal, according to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who spoke to reporters. A seven-year-old girl was among those who died.
Adhikari said six of the dead had been identified so far. Police said the injured were taken to hospital from a Durga Puja pandal, a temporary pavilion that houses idols of the goddess Durga during a festival drawing thousands of devotees.
Crowd surge at Kolkata Durga Puja pandal
A police statement blamed the crush on heavy crowds of pandal hoppers amid rainfall. A senior officer at the scene told AFP that an announcement triggered commotion once rain began, and people waiting outside the pavilion pushed and rushed forward until many fell to the ground.
Leaders respond and compensation announced
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident saddening. In a post on X, he offered condolences to the bereaved families, wished the injured a speedy recovery and said the West Bengal government was providing all possible help.
Modi’s office announced compensation of 200,000 rupees ($2,106) for the next of kin of each person who died, and 50,000 rupees ($527) for each injured person. Interior Minister Amit Shah said the administration was ensuring that all possible medical facilities were being provided to the injured.
Repeated crowd deaths at Indian mass gatherings
Deadly crowd incidents occur often at mass events in India, including religious festivals, frequently because of poor management and safety lapses. Last year, a stampede at the Kumbh Mela religious fair killed 30 people. In Bengaluru, 11 fans were crushed to death while celebrating the local cricket team’s first Indian Premier League title.
In Tamil Nadu, 36 people died in a stampede at a campaign rally for an actor-turned-politician. In 2024, 121 people were killed at a Hindu religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh.
