A festive Saturday evening in Kolkata turned to horror as a stampede at one of the city's best-known Durga Puja pandals left several people dead and dozens injured. The crush happened at the exit gate of the Sarada Park pandal at Chorbagan in north Kolkata, at around 7:40 pm, as a sudden downpour sent hundreds of visitors rushing forward at once.
File photo: Long queues of visitors outside a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata. The stampede at Chorbagan began when a crowd waiting outside rushed forward during heavy rain. Image: Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
What happened at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal
The incident took place at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal — the Sarada Park pandal in the Girish Park Police Station area of north Kolkata — at around 7 pm amid heavy rain and lightning, according to the New Indian Express. According to a statement issued by Kolkata Police, "at around 19:40 hrs, a stampede occurred at the exit gate of the Sarada Park (Chor Bagan) Puja Pandal in the Girish Park Police Station area due to heavy crowds of pandal visitors during rain."
Police said the injured were rescued and taken to the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital (MCH), and that "as per the information received so far, around 35 people have been taken to MCH." They added that "reinforcement from the Control Room, Fire Brigade, Kolkata Police, DMG team and ambulances with medical teams" were deployed. The pandal was immediately closed to visitors.
A PTI photograph from the scene showed footwear scattered outside the pandal after the exit gate collapsed under heavy crowd pressure.
Kolkata Durga Puja stampede death toll: what the figures say
Casualty figures were still being reconciled late Saturday night, and different accounts disagreed on the toll. Here is what each source reported:
- Police sources told the New Indian Express that 17 people — three men, 13 women and a child — had succumbed to their injuries, with the condition of many others stated to be critical. The report warned the toll could rise as more victims were brought to hospital.
- Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said 17 people were dead and 15 injured in the stampede, according to The Hindu BusinessLine.
- PTI, citing police sources in an update published at 11:02 pm IST and carried by Business Standard, reported at least 10 people feared dead, with 35 people brought to hospital.
The figures reflect a chaotic night in which hospitals were still receiving the injured. Kolkata Police said only that "details are awaited." The most specific breakdown available — 17 dead including three men, 13 women and a child — came from police sources quoted by the New Indian Express.
How the stampede started: rain, rush and a narrow exit
Thousands of visitors had gathered outside the Chorbagan pandal on Saturday evening — one of the busiest periods of Durga Puja. As heavy rain lashed the area, the crowd waiting in long queues rushed forward all at once to get under cover; several visitors tripped and fell on the rain-slick road outside the exit gate, and the gate itself collapsed under the pressure of the crowd. Several visitors alleged that the stampede occurred due to inadequate safety arrangements by the Kolkata Police, the New Indian Express reported.
File photo: A Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata. The Chorbagan pandal was closed to visitors after Saturday's stampede. Image: Pramanikshreya, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Hospital scramble and emergency response
The injured were rushed to the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital. Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee and senior officials rushed to the hospital, while fire tenders, a Disaster Management Group (DMG) team, ambulances and medical teams were sent to the site. The state government opened a toll-free helpline — 1800-3455678 — for queries about the tragedy.
Reactions: Modi announces ex gratia, Shah to visit hospital Sunday
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the incident and announced an ex gratia payment of Rs. 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each person who died. The injured would receive Rs. 50,000, the PMO announced.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his condolences in a post on X. "I have spoken with Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari ji regarding this matter. I pray for the peace of the souls of the devotees who lost their lives in this tragedy and express my condolences to their families," Shah said.
Shah cancelled all his programmes in West Bengal scheduled for Sunday in the wake of the stampede and will visit the hospital to meet the injured on Sunday, the New Indian Express reported.
Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she was "deeply shocked and saddened" by the stampede.
"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," Banerjee said.
TMC leader Kunal Ghosh termed the incident "unfortunate" and urged the police administration to ensure immediate medical assistance for the injured, calling for additional doctors and medical staff at the hospital.
File photo: A Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata. Saturday's incident took place at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin pandal in the north of the city. Image: Xopolino, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Why the Chorbagan stampede matters
Durga Puja draws millions of visitors onto Kolkata's streets each year, and crowd management at the biggest pandals is a long-standing concern. A stampede with this many casualties during one of the festival's peak periods is likely to force hard questions about how the city's largest pandals handle sudden weather changes and crowd surges while celebrations continue through the coming days.
What happens next
The pandal remains closed to visitors while police secure the area. The injured are being treated at the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, a confirmed casualty list is expected once hospital assessments are complete, and the chief minister's emergency meeting may produce new crowd-control measures for the remaining days of Durga Puja.
Key Takeaways
- A stampede broke out around 7:40 pm on Saturday at the exit gate of the Sarada Park (Chorbagan) Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata.
- Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said 17 people were dead and 15 injured; PTI's police sources put the toll at 10 feared dead with 35 hospitalised.
- The crush began when heavy rain sent a crowd of waiting visitors rushing forward; several fell on the slick road, and the exit gate collapsed.
- The injured were taken to the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital; fire brigade, disaster management teams and ambulances were deployed to the site.
- The pandal was closed to visitors while emergency teams secured the area; Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the injured at the hospital.
- PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Mamata Banerjee expressed grief; a toll-free helpline (1800-3455678) was opened for families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the Kolkata Durga Puja stampede happen?
The stampede happened at the exit gate of the Sarada Park pandal at Chorbagan in north Kolkata — the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal — in the Girish Park Police Station area. It occurred at around 7:40 pm on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
How many people died in the Chorbagan pandal stampede?
The figures are still being confirmed. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said 17 people were dead and 15 injured. Police sources told the New Indian Express that 17 people — three men, 13 women and a child — had succumbed to their injuries. PTI, citing police sources in an update at 11:02 pm IST, reported at least 10 feared dead with 35 people brought to hospital.
What did the eyewitnesses and officials say caused the stampede?
Police said heavy rain started while a large crowd waited outside the pandal. Visitors rushed forward at once to get under cover, several fell on the rain-slick road, and the panic turned into a stampede. The exit gate collapsed under the pressure of the crowd, a PTI photograph showed. Several visitors alleged inadequate safety arrangements by the Kolkata Police.
Where were the injured taken?
The injured were taken to the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital (MCH) in Kolkata. Health officials — including Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee — rushed to the hospital. The pandal remains closed to visitors while police secure the area.
What did PM Modi and other leaders say about the stampede?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and announced ex gratia payments of Rs. 2 lakh for the families of those who died and Rs. 50,000 for the injured. Home Minister Amit Shah said he had spoken with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, cancelled his Sunday programmes in West Bengal, and will visit the injured in hospital on Sunday. Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she was "deeply shocked and saddened" and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Is there a helpline for families of victims?
Yes. The West Bengal government notified a toll-free number, 1800-3455678, for queries and concerns related to the Chorbagan tragedy.
Sources
- Business Standard (PTI) — "At least 10 feared dead in Kolkata Durga Puja pandal stampede," updated Oct 17, 2026, 11:02 PM IST. Read report
- The Hindu BusinessLine — "Kolkata Durga Puja pandal stampede: 17 feared dead," Oct 17, 2026. Read report
- New Indian Express — "17 feared dead, several injured in stampede at Kolkata Durga Puja pandal," Oct 17, 2026 (includes Kolkata Police statement, Modi ex gratia, Shah condolences). Read report
- The Week — "Puja pandal collapse: Several killed in Chorbagan stampede," Oct 17, 2026. Read report
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By GlobalDeskNews Staff | 17 October 2026