Stampede at Kolkata Durga Puja Pandal Amid Rain, 35 Hospitalised, Inquiry Underway

A stampede-like situation erupted at the Sarada Park Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata following sudden heavy rain, leading to chaos among visitors seeking shelter. According to official statements from Kolkata Police, the incident occurred around 7:40 PM at the exit gate under the Girish Park police station limits. Around thirty-five people were injured and immediately rescued and shifted to the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Civic volunteers and police personnel stationed at the pandal were reportedly outnumbered as thousands of pandal hoppers attempted to enter simultaneously to avoid the downpour. Reinforcements from the control room, fire brigade, Disaster Management Group teams, and ambulances were dispatched to the site, and the pandal was subsequently closed to visitors. Police authorities are examining CCTV footage to establish lapses in crowd management as alerts have been sent to puja committees across West Bengal to implement strict crowd control protocols.