Kolkata stampede highlights: 9 IPS officers get charge of Durga Puja crowd management; accused sent to custody

Kolkata stampede LIVE: At least 17 deaths have been confirmed in the Bengal stampede case. "At least 17 people have been declared dead. Another 25 are injured. One of them is critical. Family members of six deceased persons have come to the hospital. We are trying to contact the families of the remaining deceased," Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari told the media.

Kolkata stampede LIVE: President Droupadi Murmu expressed condolences over the deaths after a stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata. “The news of the deaths of people in a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families. I pray for the swift recovery of those who have been injured,” she wrote on X.

Kolkata stampede LIVE: Union minister Piyush Goyal and Lok Sabha MP Mallikarjun Kharge expressed condolences over the stampede. “My deepest condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured,” Goyal posted on X.

“I urge the West Bengal Government to ensure immediate rescue and medical assistance, adequate compensation to the families of the deceased and the injured, and a thorough investigation to prevent such tragedies in the future,” Kharge said.

Kolkata stampede LIVE: Union home minister Amit Shah expressed condolences over the stampede deaths and said he was postponing his Bengal schedule to meet injured victims.

“I have spoken with Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari about this matter. I pray for the peace of the souls of those who have lost their lives in this tragic accident and extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family members. The administration is making arrangements for the best possible medical treatment for the injured,” he wrote on X.

Kolkata stampede LIVE: Recalling what happened before the incident, a witness named Dipali Das told the media: “The incident took place around 7:30 pm. The crowd at the pandal was already swelling. As it started to rain more people entered the pandal. This resulted in a stampede. Several people were injured."

Kolkata stampede LIVE: Ex-West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she was “deeply shocked and saddened” by the loss of lives in the stampede. “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 said.

Kolkata stampede LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident. “The stampede in Kolkata is extremely distressing. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected,” he said.

Kolkata stampede LIVE: The Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity puja pandal, where the stampede occurred, was closed. Soon after, a few other puja pandals such as Chetla Agrani and Tala Prottay, which were registering heavy footfall, were also closed down, police said.

Inputs from Joydeep Thakur.

Kolkata stampede LIVE: West Bengal Governor RN Ravi reacted to the stampede news and said he “many precious lives” were lost. However, there is no official confirmation on the number of deaths yet.

“I am deeply heartbroken by the tragic stampede incident at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, resulting in the loss of many precious lives. In this hour of grief, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured,” a statement by Lok Bhavan said.

Kolkata stampede LIVE: West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari and Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal visited those injured in the stampede, at Calcutta Medical College and Hospital.