10 dead, 25 injured after pandal collapse sparks stampede-like rush at Kolkata’s Chorbagan
New Delhi: Festive celebrations in north Kolkata took an unfortunate turn on Saptami evening as 10 people lost their lives and 25 injured when a section of the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal gave way under intense crowd pressure. The sudden structural collapse triggered panic among the visitors, leading to a stampede-like situation inside the premises.
Thousands of devotees had gathered at the venue on Saturday to catch a glimpse of the idol when the incident took place. Eyewitnesses reported that the surge of visitors within a confined space put severe stress on the temporary structure, causing a portion of it to buckle suddenly. Several people fell and sustained injuries in the ensuing rush.
Following the collapse, puja organisers stepped in quickly to bring order to the chaos and help evacuate stranded visitors from the spot. The injured were transported to Calcutta Medical College Hospital, where they were admitted for immediate medical care.
Former CM Mamata Banerjee reacts
“Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the stampede at the Chore Bagan 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,” Mamata Banerjee wrote on X.
Eyewitnesses reveal how incident unfolded
Eyewitness accounts from North Kolkata revealed scenes of intense distress, with several people fainting due to severe overcrowding. With ambulances unable to navigate the crush immediately, some of the unconscious were ferried away on motorcycles.
Another eyewitness pointed out significant logistical lapses, noting that both the entry and exit passages were bottlenecked and poorly lit. He shared that the sudden rush had left both his daughter and granddaughter injured and admitted to the hospital.
In the wake of the incident, the West Bengal government has set up an emergency toll-free helpline-18003455678 to assist families and provide updates on those affected.