Durga Puja Tragedy in Kolkata: 17 Feared Dead, 35 Injured After Rain Sparks Stampede

A major tragedy unfolded during Durga Puja festivities in Kolkata after a stampede broke out outside the Chorbagan Sarbojanin pandal, leaving 17 people feared dead and at least 35 others injured. The incident took place when sudden torrential rain prompted a massive gathering of devotees waiting in a narrow lane to rush inside for shelter, quickly overwhelming civic volunteers and committee organisers. The injured were moved to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, where several individuals remain in critical condition. Senior Kolkata Police officials and disaster management authorities have initiated an investigation into the incident, scanning CCTV footage and questioning the pandal organisers and crowd control volunteers. Strict crowd management directives have been dispatched to major pandals across the city, as authorities review bandobast arrangements to prevent further casualties across the remaining festive days.