The exit gate of the Chorebagan Sarbojanin Puja Pandal in Girish Park collapsed into chaos when a crowd surged after a rain‑shrouded evening, killing 17 and injuring 15.
Police cite heavy rainfall and cramped entry and exit points as triggers; the pandal’s single‑handed exit, already narrow, became a choke point as devotees rushed to join the festival.
Emergency teams from the fire brigade, DMG, and ambulances rushed in; 35 victims were transported to Medical College and Hospital, while 15 others received on‑site treatment before being moved to the same facility.
A patron, whose daughter and granddaughter were among those hospitalized, told IANS that the gate was so narrow it offered no lighting, and that two children fell in the darkness, with no police or volunteers present to help.
The pandal is now closed, and police will conduct a safety audit ahead of next year’s Durga Puja; officials say investigations will focus on crowd‑control measures and infrastructure design.