Kolkata Durga Puja Stampede Toll Rises to 19 as Chief Minister Announces Special Investigation Team

The death toll from a stampede at a community Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata has risen to 19, prompting the state government to announce a special investigation team led by a high court judge and compensation for affected families.

The death toll from Saturday evening’s stampede at a community Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata has risen to 19 after two additional deaths were confirmed. Several of the injured remain in critical condition receiving treatment at Kolkata Medical College and Hospital.

The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 pm at the Chorbagan community Durga Puja pandal on Muktarambabu Street during a sudden spell of heavy rain and lightning. Thousands of visitors had gathered at the venue, located along a narrow stretch of road, when the downpour caused individuals outside to rush inward for shelter while those inside struggled to exit, resulting in a crush on a makeshift staircase.

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Following the tragedy, the Chief Minister visited the hospital on Saturday night and announced that a special investigation team would be formed to probe the incident, headed by a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court. Authorities stated that no one from the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durgatsab committee or Kolkata Police would be spared if found negligent in crowd management.

The state government announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the family of each deceased person alongside a job offer for one member of each bereaved family. Injured individuals are set to receive Rs 5 lakh each, with the government covering all medical expenses.

Kolkata Police halted the Puja at Chorbagan and disconnected electricity to the pandal immediately following the disaster. Meanwhile, the state government has constituted a separate inspection team to evaluate infrastructure, fire safety, and crowd management systems at major Durga Puja pandals across Kolkata.

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