17 Dead, 25 Injured in Kolkata Stampede During Durga Puja Festival

KOLKATA: At least 17 people lost their lives and 25 others sustained injuries on Saturday during a stampede at a Durga Puja gathering in eastern India, officials reported. The tragic incident occurred amid sudden rainfall, which is believed to have triggered panic among the attendees.

West Bengal’s Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari confirmed the fatalities, which included a seven-year-old girl, and stated that six bodies had been identified. The stampede unfolded outside a pavilion as a large crowd gathered for the Hindu festival, leading to chaos when the rain began.

A senior police official at the scene explained that an announcement made during the downpour caused a commotion, resulting in the crowd pushing and rushing forward, ultimately leading to the tragic fall and stampede.

Authorities are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, and further updates are expected as officials assess the situation and provide support to the victims’ families.