A devastating stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata has resulted in the deaths of at least 19 people, comprising 13 women and six minors, while leaving more than 25 others injured. The tragedy unfolded after sudden heavy rainfall prompted a large crowd of visitors to rush inside the structure seeking shelter, which created a dangerous choke point at the narrow exit lane.
In the wake of the disaster, grieving families of the victims sharply criticized both the Puja organizers and the local administration. Relatives pointed to severe security lapses, including poor crowd management, narrow passage lanes, and inadequate lighting that hampered safe movement during the rush.
Law enforcement authorities responded by arresting seven individuals, including members of the event's organizing committee. Officials also imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita around the affected location to maintain order and restrict gatherings.
In response to the tragedy, senior state administrators, including the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, convened high-level meetings to evaluate security protocols and crowd control strategies throughout West Bengal. As a precautionary measure, several other high-traffic pandals across the region were temporarily closed to the public.