Kolkata Durga Puja stampede toll rises to 19, chief minister says; organizers detained

As of 4:22 p.m. ET, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026

At least 19 people were killed and 25 injured in a stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata, India, on Saturday, Oct. 17, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said, according to The Times of India and the Press Trust of India. "19 people have died so far, most of whom are girls and children," Adhikari said. He said 24 of the injured were out of danger and one was in critical condition.

Kolkata Police said the stampede happened "at around 19.40 hrs" (10:10 a.m. ET) at the exit gate of the Sarada Park (Chor Bagan) Puja Pandal in the Girish Park police station area, "due to heavy rush of pandal hoppers during rain".

Death toll and injuries

The chief minister's count rose during the evening. He first said 17 people had died, then 18, according to PTI, before giving the figure of 19. A seven-year-old girl was among the dead, the BBC reported, citing Adhikari.

Other reported figures differ. The Indian Express and The New Indian Express reported 18 dead, and Hindustan Times Bangla reported that police had confirmed at least 18 deaths. The BBC, citing officials, reported at least 17. Kolkata Police's earlier written statement gave no death count and said about 35 people had been taken to Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. Reported injury counts range from 15 to about 35. Officials have not published a final toll.

What happened

According to police, people waiting outside the pandal rushed forward when it started raining, and some fell on the road, The Times of India reported. A senior police official told AFP that an announcement caused "commotion" after the rain began and the crowd started "pushing, pulling and rushing forward," according to the BBC. Adhikari said an announcement by the organizers led to the rush, PTI reported, and blamed the rain and "some shortcomings in the arrangements made by the puja committee," according to The Times of India. The Indian Express reported that locals alleged an announcement had warned the pandal might collapse if the crowd was not brought under control. Officials have not confirmed what the announcement said.

Investigation and response

Officials of the organizing club, private security guards and officials on duty were detained, Adhikari said, according to PTI. Kolkata Police said 10 people, including some puja organizers, had been detained for questioning, The Times of India reported. No one has been charged.

Adhikari said the site had been sealed and that forensic teams, the state police Special Task Force and the fire brigade were investigating, according to The Times of India. He said a special investigation team led by a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court would investigate, PTI reported.

Adhikari announced 2.5 million rupees (Rs 25 lakh) and a government job for the family of each person killed, and 500,000 rupees (Rs 5 lakh) for each injured person, with the state paying for treatment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex gratia of 200,000 rupees from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for each victim's next of kin and 50,000 rupees for each injured person, the Prime Minister's Office said. Adhikari said he and Union Home Minister Amit Shah would visit the injured on Sunday morning, The Times of India reported.

Police closed the pandal to visitors, and other major pandals, including Tala Prattoy and Chetla Agrani, were temporarily closed, The Times of India and Hindustan Times Bangla reported. Police helplines are 1800-345-5678 and 033-22141310.

Why it matters

Durga Puja is West Bengal's biggest festival, and Adhikari said about 58,000 pujas are being held across the state. He said the government was taking steps to prevent similar incidents at other celebrations.