Tragedy in Kolkata: Durga Puja stampede kills at least 17 people
Published October 18, 2026 · 11:46 PM
At least 17 people, including a seven-year-old girl, died in a stampede in Kolkata during Durga Puja celebrations after sudden rain caused a crowd surge.
Details of the incident in Kolkata
A fatal crush occurred in the Indian city of Kolkata during celebrations for the Hindu festival of Durga Puja, resulting in at least 17 deaths and many more injuries. The tragedy was triggered by sudden rainfall, which witnesses reported prompted a surge of people attempting to seek shelter from the weather.
West Bengal's Chief Minister Suvendhu Adhikari confirmed that a seven-year-old girl was among those killed. While the total death toll stands at at least 17, Adhikari noted that six of the deceased individuals have been officially identified. Additionally, the Chief Minister stated that 25 people are currently being treated for various injuries sustained during the chaos.
A senior police official provided further context to the AFP news agency, explaining that an announcement caused significant commotion once the rain began. This announcement led to a situation where the crowd started "pushing, pulling and rushing forward," eventually falling to the ground and leading to the stampede.
Official responses to the tragedy
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the disaster, describing the event as a "tragic" incident. He stated that the regional government is providing necessary help to the families affected by the tragedy.
Local authorities in West Bengal are managing the immediate aftermath as the scale of the casualties is assessed. The combination of sudden weather changes and the resulting crowd movement has created a critical situation for emergency responders and the families of the victims.
Context of crowd safety in India
Deadly crowd incidents, particularly during religious festivals, are not uncommon in India. These tragedies are frequently attributed to poor management and a lack of adequate safety precautions during large-scale gatherings.
The scale of the Kolkata incident follows a pattern of significant loss of life at religious events in the country. Two years ago, a Hindu religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh resulted in the deaths of 121 people, highlighting the ongoing challenges regarding crowd control and safety during major celebrations.
