Kolkata Durga Puja Stampede: 19 Dead, 25 Injured

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has expressed grief over the stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, which claimed 19 lives and left 25 people injured, according to his statement.

Describing the incident as tragic and disheartening, the Chief Minister said a stampede-like situation occurred following an announcement made by the Puja club. He assured that the government is working together to support the affected families and ensure that the injured receive proper medical treatment.

Adhikari urged all Durga Puja committees to coordinate closely with the police and ensure adequate lighting, clear exit routes and proper crowd management at pandals. He also raised concerns about insufficient lighting inside some theme-based pandals, stressing that public safety must remain the top priority.

The Chief Minister announced that the following day's programmes with the Union Home Minister had been postponed so that the government could stand by those affected by the tragedy.

He further stated that a fact-finding team would investigate the incident. Kolkata Police has been instructed to detain private security personnel and Puja organisers, while a forensic examination will be conducted to establish the circumstances surrounding the stampede.

Appealing to the media and political leaders, Adhikari urged everyone not to tamper with evidence at the scene and to allow the investigation to proceed.

The incident has renewed concerns over crowd management, emergency preparedness and safety arrangements at major Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata.