Stampede at Kolkata Durga Puja site kills 19, wounds 25

A devastating stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata has resulted in significant loss of life, with authorities confirming at least 19 fatalities and 25 injured. The incident unfolded as crowds surged through the temporary structure during one of the busiest periods of the annual Hindu festival celebration.

Emergency response teams rushed to the scene following the collapse, with rescue operations continuing as authorities worked to assist the wounded. Local hospitals received an influx of injured persons, with medical staff attending to crush-related injuries sustained during the chaotic evacuation.

The stampede has raised serious concerns about crowd management protocols at large public gatherings, particularly during major religious festivals that draw massive attendance. Preliminary investigations have begun to determine the exact circumstances that led to the deadly crush, with focus on structural integrity and crowd control measures.

Officials have appealed for calm as rescue and recovery operations continue. The incident marks one of the deadliest incidents at a Kolkata Durga Puja celebration in recent years, prompting renewed calls for stricter safety standards at festival venues across the region.