Kolkata Pandal Stampede Death Toll Reaches 17 Amid Heavy Rain Surge
· India · Times of India, News18, Indian Express
At least 17 people died and 15 others were injured following a stampede at the Sarada Park Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata. The disaster occurred around 7:40 pm at the exit gate under the Girish Park police station as a large crowd surged forward during sudden rainfall. Police and emergency responders shifted approximately 35 injured individuals to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital for urgent medical care. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office announced ₹2 lakh in compensation for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal, and Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee visited the hospital, while authorities closed the pandal and issued helpline numbers.
Why it matters
The fatal stampede during Durga Puja celebrations exposes critical crowd safety vulnerabilities, prompting immediate emergency response and administrative scrutiny in West Bengal.
Read the original report — Times of India
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