In brief
A sudden downpour during a Durga Puja event in Kolkata created a deadly stampede that killed at least 17 people and injured many more. Witnesses say the rain prompted a surge of attendees to seek shelter, causing a chaotic push that collapsed crowds. Chief Minister Suvendhu Adhikari confirmed a seven‑year‑old girl among the dead, while 25 victims were being treated for injuries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident tragic and promised support for affected families. The tragedy echoes past crowd incidents during religious gatherings in India, highlighting ongoing safety challenges.
At least 17 people have been killed and many more injured in a crush at an event in the Indian city of Kolkata to mark the Hindu festival of Durga Puja, officials said.
The incident occurred during sudden rainfall, which witnesses say prompted a surge of people to try to seek shelter. It caused a sudden commotion as the crowd rushed forward, leading to a deadly stampede.
West Bengal's Chief Minister Suvendhu Adhikari said a seven‑year‑old girl was among the dead, and that 25 people were being treated for injuries. Six of the dead have been identified so far.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the event as a "tragic" incident and said the regional government was providing help to affected families. A senior police officer told AFP that an announcement sparked the commotion once the rain started.
Crowd incidents, including during religious festivals, are not uncommon in India due to poor crowd management and inadequate safety precautions. Two years ago, 121 people were killed in Uttar Pradesh during a Hindu religious gathering (source).
