At least 19 people, including a seven-year-old girl, were killed and 25 others injured in a stampede during the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata, eastern India, officials said.

The incident occurred on Saturday evening when heavy rain triggered panic among worshippers gathered outside a temporary pavilion, or pandal, where an idol of the Hindu goddess Durga was displayed.

According to Al Jazeera, police said the incident was caused by overcrowding as festivalgoers rushed forward amid rainfall. Several people fell to the ground and were trampled by the crowd.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari confirmed the casualties during a visit to Kolkata Medical College and Hospital, where the injured were receiving treatment. He also announced a special investigation into the incident, to be led by a judge of the state’s High Court.

Police have detained several pavilion organisers, private security personnel and staff as investigators examine possible failures in crowd management and safety arrangements.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the victims’ families. His office announced compensation of 200,000 rupees for each deceased person’s family and 50,000 rupees for each injured person.

The incident has renewed concerns over crowd safety at large religious gatherings in India, where stampedes have repeatedly caused mass casualties. In 2024, at least 121 people died in a crush at a Hindu religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh.

BOB Post