Stampede at Kolkata Durga Puja pandal leaves multiple injured

The stampede unfolded at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity puja pandal, one of central Kolkata's well-known annual celebrations, as large crowds gathered during evening peak hours on Saturday. The incident was exacerbated by inclement weather, with heavy rainfall adding to the chaos as devotees sought shelter and moved through congested pandal areas.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that surging crowds created dangerous crush conditions within the venue. The combination of swelling attendance during prime visiting hours and adverse weather conditions created a precarious situation that ultimately led to the stampede.

Emergency response teams were deployed to the scene to assist those injured in the incident. The exact number of casualties and the extent of injuries are still being assessed by local authorities. Police and civic officials have begun preliminary investigations into the circumstances that led to the crowd management failure.

The incident has raised concerns about safety protocols at major Durga Puja pandals during peak visiting hours. Organizers and civic authorities are expected to review crowd management measures at similar venues across the city as the festival continues.