Kolkata stampede: 12 detained as death toll rises to 19 at Durga Puja pandal
Synopsis
A collapsed exit gate at one of Kolkata's most-visited Durga Puja pandals triggered a deadly crush, killing 19 people and injuring at least 25. With 12 detained, an SIT headed by a sitting High Court judge ordered, and PM Modi, the President, and the Home Minister all responding within hours, this is West Bengal's worst festive-crowd tragedy in recent memory — unfolding while 58,000 Pujas continue statewide.
Key Takeaways
19 people died and at least 25 were injured in a stampede at the Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja Pandal , north Kolkata , on 18 October .
12 people , including organisers and volunteers, have been detained by police for questioning.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced ₹25 lakh and a government job for each victim's family, and ₹5 lakh for each injured person with full treatment costs covered.
An SIT headed by a sitting Calcutta High Court judge has been formed to investigate; it will include members from STF and CID .
PM Modi announced ₹2 lakh ex-gratia per deceased; Home Minister Amit Shah cancelled all Durga Puja engagements and is in contact with the Chief Minister.
A statewide safety advisory has been issued for 58,000 ongoing Puja events across West Bengal .
Police have detained 12 people — including organisers, volunteers, and others — for questioning in connection with a deadly stampede at the Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja Pandal in north Kolkata, which claimed 19 lives on 18 October. At least 25 injured are undergoing treatment at state hospitals, with one reported to be in critical condition.
What Triggered the Stampede
A massive crowd had gathered at the pandal on Muktarambabu Street to catch a glimpse of the Goddess Durga idol when a portion of the exit gate structure collapsed, triggering a chaotic rush. 17 people were declared brought dead at Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, with the toll climbing to 19 through the day. A forensic team reached the site on Sunday to examine the structural failure and crowd management arrangements.
Government Response and Compensation
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the pandal at around 1 am to inspect the site and speak with police and organisers, after meeting the families of the deceased and injured at Calcutta Medical College and Hospital. He announced that his government will provide ₹25 lakh and a government job for the family of each person who died, and ₹5 lakh for each injured person, with the state bearing the full cost of treatment at any hospital of their choice.
'An SIT headed by a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court will investigate the incident. The SIT will comprise members from STF, CID and other departments,' Adhikari said.
Centre Steps In
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh to the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives. Modi posted on X that the stampede was saddening and offered condolences to the bereaved families. President Droupadi Murmu also expressed grief, describing the news as 'extremely heartbreaking.' Union Home Minister Amit Shah postponed all his Durga Puja-related engagements on Sunday and confirmed he is in direct contact with Chief Minister Adhikari regarding the incident.
Safety Directions Across West Bengal
Adhikari issued a statewide advisory, noting that 58,000 Puja events are currently under way across West Bengal. He called on all organisers to enforce crowd control and comply fully with fire brigade and police directives on entry, exit points, lighting, and overall safety. He also announced that public representatives and government officials will not participate in any festivals for the next two to three days, and all government-organised cultural and tourism programmes have been cancelled, though the religious worship itself will continue.
The Chief Minister acknowledged that visitors had come from multiple states including Bihar, underlining the national draw of Kolkata's Durga Puja celebrations. 'This is an accident, and whoever is responsible, we will pick them up — through CCTV footage as well as through the investigation,' he said. With the SIT formation underway, accountability for the structural failure and crowd management lapses is expected to be determined within days.
Point of View
But the harder question is whether it will examine the licensing chain, not just the events of that night. With 58,000 Pujas under way simultaneously, the statewide advisory is welcome, but it arrives after the tragedy rather than before — a pattern India has seen at Kumbh Mela, Chamunda Devi, and Pushkar ghats over the past two decades.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Chorebagan Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata?
A stampede broke out at the Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja Pandal on Muktarambabu Street in north Kolkata on 18 October after a portion of the exit gate structure collapsed, triggering a crush among the massive crowd gathered to see the idol. The incident killed 19 people and injured at least 25 others.
Who has been detained in connection with the Kolkata stampede?
Police have detained 12 people, including organisers, volunteers, and others associated with the pandal, for questioning. A forensic team has also reached the site to examine the structural failure and crowd management arrangements.
What compensation has the West Bengal government announced for stampede victims?
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced ₹25 lakh and a government job for the family of each person who died, and ₹5 lakh for each injured person with the government bearing the full cost of treatment at any hospital of their choice.
What is the SIT formed to probe the Kolkata stampede?
An SIT — Special Investigation Team — headed by a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court has been constituted to investigate the stampede. It will include members from the STF (Special Task Force), CID, and other departments, according to Chief Minister Adhikari.
How did the Centre respond to the Kolkata Durga Puja stampede?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and expressed condolences on X. Home Minister Amit Shah cancelled all his Durga Puja engagements and confirmed he is in contact with the Chief Minister, while President Droupadi Murmu also expressed grief over the deaths.
