Kolkata: A warning over a loudspeaker about the possible collapse of a Durga Puja pandal triggered panic and led to a deadly stampede in north Kolkata on Saturday evening, leaving 19 people dead. The incident took place at the Chor Bagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity pandal around 7.30 pm on Saptami, the seventh day of Durga Puja.
According to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, a preliminary investigation has indicated that an announcement made by the organisers contributed to the stampede-like situation. The warning reportedly said, “The condition of the pandal is very bad. It will collapse. Please leave.”
The tragedy unfolded as heavy rain lashed the city, making roads and narrow lanes slippery. Eyewitnesses said people seeking shelter from the rain rushed towards the pandal through a narrow lane. At the same time, many devotees already inside were reluctant to step outside because of the rain.
As more people pushed into the crowded venue through both the entrance and exit, the situation quickly became uncontrollable. Within seconds, people began slipping and falling over one another, triggering a chain reaction that led to the deadly crush.
A police officer told Hindustan Times that the organisers began announcing that the pandal might collapse and urged people to leave. Volunteers also reportedly blew whistles, adding to the panic among the already crowded devotees.
Seven people, mostly associated with the puja organisers, have been arrested in connection with the incident. The Chor Bagan pandal was shut following the tragedy. Several other crowded puja venues, including Chetla Agrani and Tala Prottoy, were also closed as a precautionary measure, police said.
Authorities have collected CCTV footage from the pandal and surrounding areas to establish the sequence of events and identify those responsible. An FIR has been registered under Sections 105 and 110 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the puja committee had obtained the required permissions from Kolkata Police, the fire brigade and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. However, he announced that a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court, would investigate the incident and examine possible lapses.
Adhikari said legal action would be taken if negligence was established. Those found responsible could include club volunteers, temporary home guards, police personnel or private security agencies engaged by the organisers.
The investigation is expected to examine crowd management, emergency announcements and the arrangements made to handle the heavy rush during the festive evening.
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