Stampede at Kolkata Durga Puja Pandal Leaves Several Injured
A stampede at a Kolkata Durga Puja pandal injured multiple people, prompting a response from the Chief Minister and emergency services.
Kolkata, October 17 (Daily Kiran) : A stampede occurred at a community Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata on Saturday, resulting in several injuries as a large crowd gathered for the festivities.
As of the latest reports, at least 15 individuals have been admitted to the nearby Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, with some in serious condition. Fortunately, there have been no reports of fatalities from the incident at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal on Mukhtarambabu Street in North Kolkata.
The chaos began when a section of the pandal’s exit collapsed, causing panic among the attendees. Authorities fear that the number of injured may rise as investigations continue.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the hospital to assess the condition of the injured, accompanied by the state BJP president and Rajya Sabha members. He instructed hospital officials to ensure the best medical care for those affected.
Rescue teams, including Kolkata police, state disaster management, and fire services, were quickly dispatched to the scene. Organizers have since closed the pandal and turned off the lights to manage the situation.
Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her sorrow over the incident on social media, stating she was deeply shocked by the stampede at the Chorbagan pandal. She prayed for the swift recovery of the injured and offered strength to their families during this difficult time.
Bikash Das, one of the event organizers, reported that the exact cause of the stampede is still unclear, emphasizing that their immediate focus is on rescue efforts and transporting the injured to hospitals. It remains uncertain whether the victims were trampled due to the crowd’s pressure.
