--- title: "Stampede at Durga Puja Festival in Kolkata: Heavy Rain and Panic Claim Lives, Authorities Seize CCTV Footage" description: "A stampede occurred during the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata due to heavy rain and panic: reports vary between 17–19 dead and 25 injured. Authorities have seized camera footage for investigation." date: 2026-10-18T08:15:34.061Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/stampede-at-durga-puja-festival-in-kolkata tags: [durga-puja, kolkata, stampede, india, west-bengal] author: "Roman V." publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Stampede at Durga Puja Festival in Kolkata: Heavy Rain and Panic Claim Lives, Authorities Seize CCTV Footage ![Woman in pink clothing shouting during a crowd stampede at a festival in Kolkata](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/18/davka-na-festivale-durga-pudha-v-kalkutte/davka-na-festivale-durga-pudha-v-kalkutte-1.webp) ## Key Points - A stampede broke out at the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata due to heavy rain and panic. - According to the primary source, at least 19 people died and 25 were injured; other outlets report 17 fatalities. - Among the victims, according to the West Bengal Chief Minister, was a 7-year-old girl; NDTV points to 13 women and 1 child. - Indian Prime Minister N. Modi expressed condolences, and authorities seized camera footage for the investigation. In the city of Kolkata in eastern India, West Bengal state, a tragedy occurred during the Durga Puja religious festival: a stampede broke out among the gathered crowd, claiming numerous lives. According to the primary source, at least 19 people died and another 25 were injured; several other publications, citing police representatives and the NDTV channel, report 17 deaths. All victims were rushed to a local hospital for medical assistance. ### Circumstances of the Incident According to reports, the incident occurred in the evening near a temporary structure where the religious event was taking place. A sudden heavy downpour caused panic among the crowd waiting at the entrance. According to a police officer at the scene, the chaos was triggered by an announcement broadcast over a loudspeaker. People began to push and shove, and many fell, leading to the stampede. The crowd, trying to take shelter from the rain in an enclosed space, ended up in a dense crush where the tragedy occurred. ### Victims and Casualties West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari stated that a seven-year-old girl was among the dead. According to information from NDTV reported by other outlets, the victims included 13 women and one child. Twenty-five people were injured, including, reportedly, one police officer. Immediately after the incident, rescue workers and medical staff began providing aid; many relatives of the deceased wept near the hospital wards upon learning of the event. ### Authorities' Response Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery. The government of West Bengal stated it is providing support to the affected families. Officials emphasized that work is underway to assist everyone affected by the stampede. ### Investigation Authorities have seized CCTV footage from cameras installed on the festival grounds to conduct an investigation. The goal of the inspection is to establish the circumstances of the tragedy and determine the responsibility of individuals involved in crowd control. The investigation results are expected to help assess whether safety measures were observed at the mass event. ## Accounts differ ### Death toll resulting from the stampede - **vietnam.vn (primary source):** At least 19 people died and 25 were injured. ([vietnam.vn](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/giam-dap-tai-le-hoi-o-an-do-it-nhat-19-nguoi-thiet-mang)) - **Hindustan Times / NDTV via haberler.com:** 17 people died and 25 were injured in the stampede; among the dead were 13 women and 1 child. ([ru.haberler.com](https://ru.haberler.com/russian-news-2316339/)) - **Anadolu Agency (aa.com.tr):** 17 people died and 25 were injured; among the victims were 13 women and 1 child. ([aa.com.tr](https://www.aa.com.tr/ru/%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%80/%D0%B4%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BA%D0%B0-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%B3%D0%B8%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%BC-%D1%84%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B5-%D0%B2-%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%B8-%D1%83%D0%BD%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%B0-%D0%B6%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%BD%D0%B8-17-%D1%87%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B5%D0%BA/4092259)) - **NDTV via news.rambler.ru:** At least 17 people died and several others were injured. ([news.rambler.ru](https://news.rambler.ru/incidents/57253658-ndtv-zhertvami-davki-na-religioznom-prazdnike-v-indii-stali-17-chelovek/)) *Where they agree:* All sources confirm that a stampede occurred during the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata (West Bengal state) due to heavy rain and panic in the crowd, resulting in fatalities and 25 injuries. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [В Индии во время фестиваля произошла давка, в результате которой погибли по меньшей мере 19 человек.](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/giam-dap-tai-le-hoi-o-an-do-it-nhat-19-nguoi-thiet-mang) - Primary source: at least 19 dead, 25 injured; 7-year-old girl among victims (statement by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari); cause — rain and panic; condolences from N. Modi; seizure of camera footage. - [В Индии в давке на религиозном фестивале погибли 17 человек.](https://ru.haberler.com/russian-news-2316339/) - Citing Hindustan Times and NDTV: 17 dead, 25 injured, time 7:40 PM; 13 women and 1 child among the dead; stampede caused by crowd seeking shelter from rain. - [Давка на религиозном фестивале в Индии унесла жизни 17 человек](https://www.aa.com.tr/ru/%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%80/%D0%B4%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BA%D0%B0-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%B3%D0%B8%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%BC-%D1%84%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B5-%D0%B2-%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%B8-%D1%83%D0%BD%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%B0-%D0%B6%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%BD%D0%B8-17-%D1%87%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B5%D0%BA/4092259) - Hindustan Times/NDTV: 17 dead, 25 injured, 7:40 PM; 13 women and 1 child among victims; cause — accumulation of people sheltering from downpour. - [NDTV: Жертвами давки на религиозном празднике в Индии стали 17 человек](https://news.rambler.ru/incidents/57253658-ndtv-zhertvami-davki-na-religioznom-prazdnike-v-indii-stali-17-chelovek/) - NDTV: at least 17 dead, several injured; Durga Puja festival in Kolkata, incident on Saturday. ## FAQ ### Where and when did the stampede happen? The tragedy occurred during the Durga Puja religious festival in Kolkata (West Bengal state, India), near a temporary structure on the festival grounds. Reports indicate the incident happened in the evening (around 7:40 PM local time according to several publications). ### How many people died and were injured? According to the primary source, at least 19 people died and 25 were injured. Several other outlets citing police and NDTV report 17 dead and 25 injured. The number of injured is consistent across all sources. ### What caused the stampede? The cause was panic in the crowd triggered by a sudden heavy downpour. According to a police officer, an announcement over a loudspeaker sparked the disorder; a jostling crowd at the entrance and near an enclosed area caused people to fall, leading to the stampede. ### What measures have the authorities taken? Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of the victims, and the West Bengal government announced support for affected families. Authorities seized CCTV footage to investigate and determine accountability for crowd control.