At least 17 people were killed and dozens injured in a crowd crush during Durga Puja celebrations in Kolkata, eastern India, on Saturday, October 17, after heavy rain contributed to overcrowding at a religious festival venue.
The incident occurred near the exit gate of a Durga Puja pavilion in the Girish Park area of the city, where large numbers of devotees had gathered to worship. Durga Puja is a major annual Hindu festival in West Bengal, attracting crowds to temporary structures known as pandals, which house idols of the goddess Durga.
Local television reports said the crowd became congested as festivalgoers attempted to leave the venue during heavy rainfall. A police official said an announcement triggered confusion, prompting people waiting outside to push and rush forward. Several people fell, resulting in the deadly crush.
Among those killed was a seven-year-old girl, according to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. At least 25 people were reported injured and taken to hospitals for treatment.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sadness over the tragedy and offered condolences to the families of those who died. His office announced financial assistance of 200,000 rupees for the next of kin of each victim and 50,000 rupees for every injured person.
Home Minister Amit Shah also said authorities were ensuring that injured victims received medical care.
The incident has renewed concerns about crowd management and safety at large public gatherings in India, where deadly stampedes have occurred at religious festivals, sporting celebrations and political events.
In January 2025, at least 30 people died in a stampede during the Maha Kumbh religious gathering. In 2024, a crush at a Hindu religious event in Uttar Pradesh killed 121 people.
Authorities are expected to face renewed scrutiny over safety arrangements at crowded festivals as investigators examine the circumstances surrounding the Kolkata tragedy.
