Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those killed and Rs 50,000 for each injured person following the stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday, according to news agency PTI.
While expressing grief over the incident, Modi said the tragedy was deeply distressing and extended his sympathies to the bereaved families.
ALSO READ : Kolkata Durga Puja Stampede: 'Entry & Exit Were Narrow, Many Fainted', Eyewitnesses Recount Horror
"The stampede in Kolkata is extremely distressing. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected:, " the prime minister said in a post on X.
The financial assistance will be provided from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF), with Rs 2 lakh earmarked for the family of each deceased victim and Rs 50,000 for every injured person.
PM Modi said the local administration was mobilising all available resources to assist those affected by the stampede, including the injured and families of the victims.
At least 17 people are reported dead following a sudden surge in the crowd at the Durga Puja pandal on Saturday evening. The incident reportedly occurred amid a large gathering of devotees visiting the pandal during the festive season.
The stampede has raised concerns over crowd management and safety arrangements at religious and cultural gatherings, particularly during Durga Puja, when pandals across Kolkata attract large numbers of visitors.
The circumstances that led to the crowd surge and the full extent of casualties were not immediately clear.
ALSO READ : Atleast 17 Dead, 35 Injured In Stampede-Like Chaos At Kolkata Durga Puja Pandal
The prime minister's announcement of financial assistance comes as the authorities respond to the tragedy and provide support to the victims and their families. Further details about the incident, including the final casualty count and the cause of the stampede, are awaited.
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