At least 17 die and 25 are hurt in a stampede at a north Kolkata Durga Puja pandal, and a judge-led SIT is ordered
A stampede-like crush occurred at a community Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on the night of Saturday, October 17. Reports at about 10 pm local time first said several people were injured. Later live coverage said several were feared dead, and the injured were taken to the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital. Three reports carried a count of 17 dead and 25 hurt. The Prime Minister announced ex gratia compensation, and the state's Chief Minister announced ₹25 lakh in aid and a government job. A Special Investigation Team headed by a sitting judge is to probe the incident, and seven outlets carried versions of the story.
Crowds in narrow lanes around pandals can turn when a surge starts at a gate or a bottleneck, and the people at the edges have no room to step away. The families of the dead and injured now face hospital costs, funeral costs and a wait for compensation to be defined.
If you plan to visit pandals this week, go early in the evening and pick one with separate entry and exit gates. Leave at once if a lane becomes too packed to move your arms freely.
A festival crowd is a safety system only when exits are planned before the lights go on.
DailyDrop India edition No. 14 · Morning · SUN., OCT. 18, 2026