Kolkata stampede video shows panic in narrow passage; at least 19 dead

A video capturing the moments when a deadly stampede broke out at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata has surfaced, showing dozens of devotees trapped inside a narrow, barricaded passage as panic spread through the crowd. The tragedy, which occurred on Saturday evening, claimed 19 lives and left 25 others injured.

The 49-second mobile phone footage, reportedly recorded by a person caught in the crowd, shows men, women and children packed tightly inside a low-roofed, covered passage at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal.

Several people can be heard crying for help as the crowd struggles to move. Some devotees are seen attempting to hold onto the walls to prevent themselves from falling amid the intense pressure.

Another video shows a large number of visitors rushing towards the pandal during heavy rainfall, with several people running while holding umbrellas.

The stampede occurred around 7.40 pm on Saturday, coinciding with Saptami celebrations, when thousands of devotees visit Durga Puja pandals across the city.

𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻, 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗺𝘀

Of the 19 people killed, 13 were women and two were minors. At least 25 others sustained injuries, with three admitted to intensive care units and one reported to be in critical condition.

The footage has raised serious questions about crowd management and the adequacy of entry and exit arrangements at the popular pandal.

The covered passage appears to have offered little room for movement as visitors became trapped in the surging crowd.

Footwear was seen scattered outside the pandal following the incident. Reports indicated that an exit gate collapsed under pressure from the crowd, worsening the situation.

𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱𝘆

Police have arrested seven people, including members of the organising committee, construction personnel and private security staff, after registering a suo motu case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Those arrested include Chorbagan Durga Puja committee secretary Raj Kumar Sewda and vice-president Santanu Dubey.

Biplab Mukherjee, who was involved in constructing the bamboo structure, was also taken into custody, along with Koushik Saha and Pintu Dey, who were responsible for crowd control.

Two private security in-charges, Suman Chakraborty and Rajesh Pal, were among those arrested.

Investigators are examining whether lapses in crowd regulation, structural arrangements and emergency access contributed to the deaths.

𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗱𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said preliminary information suggested that an announcement made over the pandal's loudspeaker system triggered a sudden rush among visitors.

"According to initial reports by the officials at the spot, the incident occurred owing to an announcement on the loudspeaker by the puja organisers," Adhikari said after visiting injured devotees at Kolkata Medical College and Hospital.

However, authorities have not established what exactly was announced.

Adhikari also said relatives of two victims had claimed that private security personnel blew whistles, prompting people waiting outside to rush towards the pandal.

These accounts remain part of the preliminary investigation, and the precise sequence of events leading to the stampede has yet to be conclusively established.

The Chief Minister urged organisers of theme-based Durga Puja celebrations to prioritise visitor safety, adequate lighting and sufficient entry and exit points.

"Lives of people are more valuable than themes," he said, warning against poorly illuminated pandals that could compromise public safety.

𝗠𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱

Following the tragedy, the administration directed several prominent Durga Puja organisers in Kolkata to temporarily suspend public entry as a precautionary measure.

Among the pandals affected were Tala Pratyay, Alipore Sarbojanin, Chetla Agrani and Ballygunge Sarbojonin, which typically attract large crowds during the festival.

Around 3,500 Durga Puja celebrations are being organised across Kolkata this year.

The temporary closures come amid heightened scrutiny of crowd management arrangements at major festival venues, particularly those featuring elaborate installations and restricted access passages.

The emergence of the videos has provided investigators with additional material to reconstruct the circumstances surrounding the stampede, while authorities continue examining responsibility for one of the deadliest incidents during this year's Durga Puja celebrations.