Bengal CM defends private hospital shift for stampede victims

West Bengal Chief Minister defended the administrative decision to shift stampede victims to private healthcare facilities, stating that the move was motivated by ensuring optimal treatment outcomes. The CM said the decision was taken on-site following the incident, with authorities prioritizing access to better medical care to prevent additional loss of life.

"We moved those injured to private hospitals because we realised that the best treatment could be provided there so that there is no more loss of life," the CM said in a statement. He emphasized that there was "nothing controversial" behind the decision, framing it as a pragmatic response focused on patient welfare.

All 25 individuals injured in the stampede survived, according to the CM's announcement. The transfer of patients to private medical facilities meant that injured persons received care at hospitals deemed to have superior resources and capabilities compared to public healthcare units available at the immediate location.

The incident highlights the administrative challenges faced by state authorities when responding to public safety emergencies. The CM's comments suggest that officials prioritized immediate clinical assessment and triage over standard protocols, routing patients to facilities they determined offered the best prospects for recovery.