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Several injured in stampede at Kolkata Durga Puja pandal; CM Suvendu Adhikari reaches hospital
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari and chief secretary Manoj Agarwal visited the hospitalised injured at Calcutta Medical College and Hospital.
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Several people were injured in a stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity puja pandal in central Kolkata on Saturday.
The injured individuals were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
The incident occurred at around 7:40 pm, and the pandal has now been closed to visitors, news agency ANI reported, citing Kolkata Police.
"Today at around 7:40 pm, a stampede occurred at the exit gate of Sarada Park (Chor Bagan) Puja Pandal, under Girish Park Police Station, due to heavy crowds of pandal hoppers amid rainfall. The Puja Pandal has now been closed to visitors. All injured persons were rescued and shifted to MCH for treatment," the police said.
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West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari and chief secretary Manoj Agarwal visited the hospitalised injured at Calcutta Medical College and Hospital.
State health minister Sharadwat Mukherjee also visited the injured people admitted to the hospital.
There is no official confirmation of any fatalities so far. Further details are awaited.
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What happened?
The situation arose from a crowd surge at the community Durga Puja in the evening, news agency PTI reported, citing police.
According to a senior official cited in the report, as it started raining, the crowd waiting outside the pandal rushed forward, and some of them fell on the road, leading to the stampede-like situation.
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Former CM Banerjee reacts
Former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee expressed shock over the incident in a post on X.
"Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the stampede at the Chore Bagan Puja Pandal," she wrote.
"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," the TMC chief added.
Meanwhile, authorities have issued a helpline number, 18003455678, for assistance.
(with inputs from agencies)
