At least 17 people were killed and several others injured in a crowd crush at a Durga Puja festival pavilion in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, local media reported.
The incident occurred on the evening of October 17 at the Chore Bagan Sarbojanin Puja pavilion in northern Kolkata. According to a statement issued by Kolkata Police, the crowd crush occurred near the pavilion’s exit as a large number of festival-goers gathered despite rainy weather.
Following the incident, rescue teams transported the injured to MCH Hospital, with around 35 people reportedly hospitalized. The fatalities included 13 women and one child, according to reports.
Kolkata Police deployed ambulances, along with fire service personnel, disaster management teams, and medical teams, to support emergency rescue operations. The pavilion was temporarily closed to visitors for safety reasons, police said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and state Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal visited the hospital to assess the situation.
Durga Puja is one of the major Hindu festivals celebrated across India, with large crowds gathering at festival pavilions throughout West Bengal. The incident highlights the importance of effective crowd management and emergency safety measures at large public celebrations.
Source: Kolkata Police
