In brief
During the Hindu festival of Durga Puja in Kolkata, a sudden downpour triggered a surge of attendees seeking shelter, leading to a deadly stampede. Authorities report at least 17 fatalities, including a seven‑year‑old girl, and 25 people injured. West Bengal's Chief Minister Suvendhu Adhikari confirmed the casualty figures, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as tragic. Similar crowd‑related tragedies have plagued India before, underscoring ongoing safety concerns.
At least 17 people were killed in a crush that erupted during the Durga Puja celebrations in Kolkata, West Bengal, after a sudden shower prompted crowds to seek shelter.
A senior police officer told AFP that an announcement about the rain caused a commotion, leading people to push, pull and rush forward, which ultimately resulted in a stampede.
The West Bengal chief minister, Suvendhu Adhikari, confirmed that a seven-year-old girl was among the deceased and that 25 people were receiving medical treatment for injuries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident "tragic" and said the state government was helping affected families and providing relief support.
This is not the first time that religious gatherings in India have ended in fatal crowd crushes; in 2024, a Hindu religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh claimed 121 lives, illustrating ongoing safety challenges at large public events.
