19 people lost their lives when a stampede erupted inside Kolkata’s Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal on Saturday evening amid sudden rain.
The pandal, known for its low roof and narrow passageways, was already packed as devotees queued for 90 minutes to enter before the festival’s seventh day, Saptami, was observed.
An announcer on the loudspeaker warned that the pandal was about to collapse, prompting a surge of people to push forward, while others tried to stay put to avoid the rain, creating a deadlock that turned into a crush.
Police arrested seven individuals, including committee secretary Raj Kumar Sewda, vice‑president Santanu Dubey, and private security head Rajesh Pal, after investigators linked the chaotic announcement to a private security agency’s whistle.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced a ₹25 lakh compensation package and eight government jobs for the families of the deceased, while he set up a fact‑finding committee headed by a sitting high court judge to probe the incident.
The committee will convene next month to determine liability and recommend reforms to crowd management at future Durga Puja pandals across the city.