A stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata killed at least 19 people and injured 25 others on Saturday evening, October 17. Police suspect that an announcement warning visitors that the pandal might collapse may have triggered panic among the crowd, contributing to the deadly incident.
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According to an India Today report published on October 18, investigators are examining video footage that reportedly captures an announcement asking people to leave the venue because the structure was allegedly in poor condition. Police are working to identify the person who made the announcement and establish why it was issued.
Kolkata Pandal Stampede: Announcement Under Police Investigation
A senior police officer told news agency PTI that investigators had obtained video footage of an announcement warning that the pandal could collapse. The officer said authorities were examining who made the announcement and what prompted it.
The warning reportedly urged visitors to leave the venue, potentially creating panic among devotees gathered for Durga Puja celebrations. However, investigators have not yet established the complete sequence of events or conclusively determined the announcement’s role in triggering the stampede.
Heavy Rain and Narrow Gates Complicated Crowd Movement
Preliminary findings suggest that several factors may have contributed to the tragedy, including heavy rainfall, a sudden rush of visitors and inadequate crowd management.
According to police observations cited in media reports, the pandal’s narrow entrance and exit gates, along with the restricted approach road, made it difficult for people to move safely during the rush.
Police have also raised concerns about the number of personnel deployed to manage the crowd. Investigators are examining CCTV footage and recording statements from eyewitnesses and local residents to reconstruct the events leading up to the stampede.
