Narrow entry and exit passages, coupled with inadequate lighting, turned a crowded Durga Puja gathering into a scene of horror at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening, leaving at least 17 people dead, according to reports.
The stampede occurred around 7.40 pm on October 17 near the pandal's exit gate, where a large crowd of devotees had gathered.
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Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of panic as people struggled to move through the congested passageways, with several fainting amid the crush.
Dozens of people were injured and rushed to Kolkata Medical College and Hospital for treatment.
The reported death toll remains provisional as authorities work to establish the full extent of the tragedy and determine the circumstances that led to the deadly crowd surge.
“The entrance was very narrow, and the exit gate was also narrow. There was no lighting in the area,” an eyewitness said, adding that their daughter and granddaughter had been hospitalised following the incident.
Several witnesses described scenes of panic as devotees struggled to move through the congested passageways.
Some people fainted in the crush, while others were reportedly trapped beneath those who fell around them, making rescue efforts difficult.
An eyewitness said the situation deteriorated when people leaving the pandal encountered those still attempting to enter.
“The opposing movement of crowds created pressure at the exit, triggering panic and leaving people struggling to escape, “ Said an eyewitness.
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The incident took place at the Sarada Park (Chor Bagan) pandal amid heavy footfall and sudden rain.
Reports have also suggested that part of the exit-gate structure may have collapsed under crowd pressure.
However, the precise sequence of events and the cause of the stampede have yet to be officially established.
Following the incident, entry to the pandal was stopped, while police, fire services, disaster-management personnel and ambulances were deployed to assist in rescue and evacuation operations.
The injured were shifted to Kolkata Medical College and Hospital for treatment.
Authorities also shut several other major Durga Puja pandals to visitors as a precautionary measure.
The tragedy has raised questions about crowd management, the adequacy of entry and exit arrangements, lighting and emergency evacuation measures at crowded festive venues.
The final casualty count and the circumstances leading to the stampede are expected to become clearer as authorities investigate the incident.
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