In brief
In Kolkata, a crowd surge during a sudden downpour at a Durga Puja celebration caused a stampede that killed at least 17 people, including a seven‑year‑old girl, and injured 25 others. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendhu Adhikari confirmed the death toll and urged state resources for victims. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the tragedy as "tragic" and pledged support. The incident echoes previous deadly crowd incidents at religious festivals across India, highlighting ongoing concerns over crowd management and safety.
At least 17 dead in crush at Durga Puja festival in Kolkata
A sudden rainstorm during a Durga Puja gathering in Kolkata triggered a crowd surge that left 17 people dead and 25 injured, officials said. The crush occurred as spectators rushed to take cover from the downpour.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendhu Adhikari confirmed that a seven‑year‑old girl was among the dead and that six of the deceased had been identified. She also noted that 25 individuals were receiving medical treatment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident "tragic" and affirmed that the central government would assist families affected by the tragedy.
A senior police officer told AFP that an announcement just before the rain caused commotion, prompting the crowd to push, pull and rush forward, which led to the stampede.
India has witnessed several lethal crowd incidents at religious festivals owing to inadequate crowd control and safety measures. Two years ago, a mass gathering in Uttar Pradesh resulted in 121 deaths.
