Kolkata: At least 19 people died, and 25 others were injured in a stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who rushed to the Kolkata Medical College and Hospital, where the victims were taken, also announced that his government will provide Rs 25 lakh and a Group D govt job for the family of each deceased.
He said police detained Chorbagan Durga Puja organisers, private security guards, and on-duty staff for questioning.
“As of now, 19 people have died, and 25 are undergoing treatment,” Adhikari said.
The chief minister said that an announcement by the organisers of the community Durga Puja at Chorbagan in north Kolkata led to a rush among the revellers, causing the “painful incident”.
“According to initial reports by the officials at the spot, the incident occurred owing to an announcement on the loudspeaker by the puja organisers,” he said.
The Chorbagan Durga Puja, which has gained popularity in recent years and draws a large number of revellers, is located on a narrow road off Chittaranjan Avenue.
According to the family members of two of the deceased, the blowing of a whistle by private security guards at the pandal area led to a rush among the people waiting to visit the pandal, the chief minister said.
“It is a painful incident, and we are doing whatever is required. The Chorbagan Durga Puja organisers, private security guards and on-duty staff have been detained,” he said.
Adhikari said that the administration’s priority is to give proper treatment to the injured.
“Till now, family members of nine dead have reached here. I have spoken to them personally. Fact-finding will be done, and steps will be taken,” the chief minister said.
Adhikari said that all official programmes, including those of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, have been postponed due to the tragedy.
Shah arrived in Kolkata and was scheduled to visit some Durga Puja pandals on Sunday.
Stating that the state government stands with the families of the deceased and injured, the chief minister said the Chorbagan community Durga Puja pandal has been closed.
He said that the stampede site has been handed over to the forensic department, the police STF, and the Fire Brigade for investigation.
The chief minister urged all theme-based Durga Puja organisers to ensure proper lighting at the venue and adequate entry-exit gates for the visitors.
“Many pandals are dimly lit in the name of theme puja,” he said, urging the organisers to follow the advice of the authorities.
“Lives of people are more valuable than themes,” the CM said.
A large number of Durga puja organisers in Kolkata and other places in the state compete with each other in making their pandals more attractive by setting up theme-based creations.
