Panic gripped north Kolkata on Saturday evening as a sudden downpour reportedly triggered a crowd crush at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal. Around 35 people were reportedly rescued and taken to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital.
BY PC Bureau
KOLKATA I October 17: At least 17 people are feared dead and 25 to 30 others injured in a stampede-like incident at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening, October 17, amid heavy crowds and sudden torrential rain during Maha Saptami celebrations.
The incident reportedly occurred around 7.40 pm near the pandal’s exit gate at Sarada Park, within the Girish Park police station area. According to preliminary media reports, a sudden downpour accompanied by lightning triggered panic among devotees waiting to enter or leave the crowded venue. As people rushed for shelter, several reportedly slipped and fell, leading to a dangerous crush.
Reports also suggested that part of the pandal’s entry or exit gate structure may have collapsed, further aggravating the chaos. The circumstances surrounding the incident, however, remain subject to verification.
Kolkata Police confirmed that a stampede-like situation had developed amid the heavy rush of pandal-hoppers during the rain. Around 35 people were reportedly rescued and taken to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital for treatment.
Several feared dead in a durga puja pandal on saptami in #kolkata
Massive crowd resulted in stampede like situation and chorbagan puja pandal has been shut
Please pray for the families… https://t.co/YlzxbIZGf0
— MANOGYA LOIWAL मनोज्ञा लोईवाल (@manogyaloiwal) October 17, 2026
Early reports citing hospital sources put the suspected death toll at around 17, with dozens injured and some reportedly in critical condition. The final toll and the full extent of the casualties had not been officially established at the time of reporting.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal reached Calcutta Medical College and Hospital to assess the situation and meet the injured, according to reports. Police personnel, fire brigade teams, disaster management personnel, ambulances and medical teams were deployed to assist with rescue and emergency response operations.
The pandal was reportedly closed to visitors following the incident. The state government also activated a toll-free helpline, 18003455678, for information related to the emergency.
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Large Crowd at Durga Puja Pandal
Chorbagan Sarbojanin, a prominent community Durga Puja in the area, had attracted large crowds this year with its theme, “Arob”, meaning “Beyond Sound”. The incident occurred on Maha Saptami, one of the busiest days of the Durga Puja festivities, when thousands of devotees visit popular pandals across Kolkata.
Eyewitness accounts cited in media reports pointed to severe overcrowding around the venue’s narrow entry and exit points. The sudden rainfall reportedly compounded the difficulties, turning an already congested area into a scene of confusion and panic.
Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock and sadness over the incident in a post on X.
“Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the stampede at the Chore Bagan Puja Pandal. I pray to Maa Durga for the speedy recovery of all those injured and for strength and courage for their families during this difficult time,” she wrote.
Authorities are continuing rescue and medical operations, while the circumstances leading to the crowd crush—including crowd control arrangements, access routes and the reported damage to the gate structure—remain under scrutiny.
The incident is still developing. The reported death toll and casualty figures should be treated as provisional until confirmed by the authorities.
