17 Dead, 25 Injured in Kolkata Stampede During Puja Festival

News Desk
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KOLKATA: At least 17 people lost their lives and 25 others sustained injuries on Saturday during a stampede at a Durga Puja gathering in eastern India, triggered by sudden rainfall, officials reported.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari confirmed the fatalities, which included a seven-year-old girl, and stated that the incident occurred outside a pavilion where crowds had gathered for the Hindu festival. “Six bodies have so far been identified,” Adhikari added, emphasizing the tragic nature of the event.

A senior police official at the scene explained that an announcement during the rain caused panic among the crowd, leading to a rush that resulted in the stampede.

The official noted that the crowd was pushing and pulling, which ultimately led to individuals falling to the ground.

In light of this tragedy, local authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The community is mourning the loss, and officials are likely to review safety protocols for large gatherings to prevent such occurrences in the future.