Kolkata: At least 25 people sustained serious injuries following a stampede-like situation caused by a sudden crowd surge at the Chorbagan community Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening.

According to a senior police official, the chaos ensued when unexpected rainfall prompted thousands of devotees waiting outside the pandal to surge forward simultaneously. In the ensuing rush to seek shelter, several people lost their footing and fell onto the roadway, triggering a panic.
 

“At least 25 people were taken to the Kolkata Medical College and Hospital in serious condition,” the officer confirmed.

Emergency services and disaster management personnel were immediately deployed to the site to manage the crowd and secure the area. West Bengal Health Minister Saradwat Mukherjee, along with senior administration officials, rushed to Kolkata Medical College and Hospital to oversee the medical care provided to the victims.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited a state-run hospital where the injured were undergoing treatment, a senior officer said.
 

Some news channels reported that several people died in the accident, but there is no official confirmation of the death.
Expressing concern over the tragedy, former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock over the incident at the Chorbagan pandal. 

“Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the stampede at the Chorbagan puja pandal. I pray to Maa Durga for the speedy recovery of all those injured and for strength and courage for their families during this difficult time,” she said.

Police and local authorities have intensified crowd-control measures across major pandals in the city to prevent further mishaps during the festival rush.


(Agecies)