The Chorbagan Durga Puja Kolkata stampede has reportedly claimed at least 17 lives and left several people critically injured, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce financial assistance of ₹2 lakh for each deceased victim’s family and ₹50,000 for each injured person.
Key Takeaways:
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PM announces financial aid: The Prime Minister has announced ₹2 lakh from the PM National Relief Fund for the next of each deceased victim and ₹50,000 for every injured person.
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Police urge public caution: Kolkata Police have asked people to avoid the incident site, refrain from spreading rumours and allow authorities to manage the situation.
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Emergency services on alert: Medical College Kolkata has been asked to increase doctors and medical staff in its emergency department to handle the reported casualties and injuries.
A reported stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojonin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata has allegedly claimed at least 17 lives, while several others have suffered critical injuries.
“The Prime Minister has announced that the next of each of those who lost their lives in the stampede in Kolkata will be provided with a one-time financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). Each of the injured will be given financial assistance of Rs 50,000”, a PMO X Post mentioned soon after the tragedy.
কলকাতায় পদপিষ্ট হয়ে যাঁরা প্রাণ হারিয়েছেন, তাঁদের প্রত্যেকের নিকটাত্মীয়কে প্রধানমন্ত্রীর জাতীয় ত্রাণ তহবিল (PMNRF) থেকে ২ লক্ষ টাকা এককালীন আর্থিক সহায়তা দেওয়ার কথা ঘোষণা করেছেন প্রধানমন্ত্রী। আহতদের প্রত্যেককে ৫০,০০০ টাকা করে আর্থিক সহায়তা দেওয়া হবে।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 17, 2026
The injured are reportedly receiving treatment at Medical College Kolkata.
The incident has triggered serious concern, with Kolkata Police calling it a horrific accident and urging the administration to respond immediately. Police have also appealed to the public to stay away from the affected area and avoid spreading unverified information.
Kolkata Police Urges Immediate Response
In a post on X, Kolkata Police described the incident at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal as alarming and called for the authorities to treat the situation as a top priority.
The police also stressed the importance of keeping the public informed through accurate reporting. They urged the authorities to ensure that media coverage continues without obstruction while helping clear the affected area.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at Calcutta Medical College amid reports of a stampede-like situation at a Durga Puja pandal. At 17 feared dead, many injured. More details awaited
LIVE updates: https://t.co/rGSAgDop61 https://t.co/Q42GUheFEk
— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) October 17, 2026
Public Asked to Stay Away
Kolkata Police advised people not to visit the incident site until further notice. The appeal aims to help the administration manage the situation and prevent further complications.
The police also cautioned against circulating rumours or unverified reports that could trigger panic. They emphasised that efforts to manage the incident must not create additional problems or obstruct the flow of reliable information.
Medical College Asked to Strengthen Emergency Services
The police post also called for an immediate increase in the number of doctors and medical staff in the emergency department of Medical College Kolkata to respond to the reported casualties and injuries.
Further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident, the identities of the victims and the final official casualty figures are awaited.
An X post by IANS quoted an eye witness on surrounding areas of the pandal:
Kolkata, West Bengal: Following reports of a stampede-like situation at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal, an eye witness says, “…The entrance was very narrow, and the exit gate was also narrow. There was no lighting in the area….My daughter and grand daughter is hospitalized…”
— IANS (@ians_india) October 17, 2026
