A tragic stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening resulted in the deaths of at least 19 individuals, with another 25 sustaining injuries.
The disaster unfolded at approximately 7:30 pm during Saptami, the seventh day of the festival, as massive crowds surged into a narrow bylane. Heavy rainfall had made the streets slick, and eyewitnesses reported that people rushed into the venue to seek shelter from the downpour. Individuals already inside reportedly refused to exit into the rain, while additional crowds forced their way in through both the entrance and exit routes.
Within moments, people began to slip and fall over one another, initiating a devastating chain reaction. According to police reports, the situation escalated when organisers began broadcasting warnings that the structure might collapse, accompanied by volunteers blowing whistles to clear the area, which inadvertently triggered panic and the ensuing crush.
In the aftermath, the Chorbagan pandal remained sealed. Authorities have arrested seven individuals, primarily pandal organisers, in connection with the incident.
Prominent figures from the Bengali film industry expressed profound shock and sorrow over the disaster. Actor Dev shared a distressed statement on social media, calling the event heartbreaking and offering condolences to the families who lost loved ones, while praying for the safety of devotees in the city.
Veteran actor Prosenjit Chatterjee also voiced his anguish, stating he could not comprehend how a joyous festival could be overshadowed by such immense sorrow, and wished a full recovery to the injured.
Actress Subhashree Ganguly shared her grief on Instagram, noting that the festivities had been dimmed by the catastrophe that shattered numerous families, and extended her deepest sympathies to the victims.
Additionally, National Award-winning actor Sudipta Chakraborty appealed to other puja committees to demonstrate empathy by halting loudspeakers and festive music following the deadly event.