Durga Puja festivities in Kolkata turned tragic on Saturday after a stampede-like situation left at least 18 dead , while several others are said to be injured.
The incident took place at Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity puja pandal, a prominent puja in central Kolkata, during the peak hours on Saptami evening, police said.
The crowd at the pandal was already swelling. As it started to rain more people entered the pandal. This resulted in a stampede. “There were no puja organsier, no police and no volunteer. Everyone was pushing each other and shouting. The Puja Pandal has now been closed to visitors.
“The incident took place around 7:30 pm. The incident occurred at around 7:40 pm, and the pandal has now been closed to visitors, news agency ANI reported, citing Kolkata Police. “Today at around 7:40 pm, a stampede occurred at the exit gate of Sarada Park (Chor Bagan) Puja Pandal, under Girish Park Police Station, due to heavy crowds of pandal hoppers amid rainfall.
Several people were injured,” Dipali Das, a pandal hopper, told the media. Another eyewitness alleged mismanagement and said that people pushing each other in absence of organisers, volunteers and police personnel. Many fell ill,” said Saikat Banerjee, another pandal hopper. All injured persons were rescued and shifted to MCH for treatment,” the police said.
