Kolkata Durga Puja stampede kills 19, including four children

The stampede occurred during the festival celebrations at the Chorebagan Durga Puja pandal, one of the city's most visited temporary shrines during the Hindu festival season. Devotees and families gathered to witness the religious observances when the crowd surge led to the fatal incident, according to eyewitness accounts and official reports.

The victims included four children among the deceased, with rescue teams and emergency services working through the night to assist the injured and locate those missing. Local residents and festival organizers expressed shock at how quickly the situation spiraled into chaos during what was meant to be a joyous occasion.

Families of the deceased gathered at hospitals and makeshift relief centers, struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss of their loved ones. Many described feeling trapped in the crush with no way to escape as the stampede unfolded.

The incident has raised questions about crowd management protocols and safety measures at major Durga Puja venues across Kolkata. Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances that led to the stampede, with officials promising to review safety procedures for upcoming festival celebrations.