At least 18 people have lost their lives —among them thirteen women and one minor— in a human stampede recorded this Saturday during the celebrations of Durga Puja, one of the most important festivals of Hinduism, in the Indian city of Kolkata. Eight of the injured are in critical condition.
"Today, October 17, 2026, around 7:40 PM, a stampede occurred at the exit gate of the Sarada Puja Pandal, across from the Girish Park police station," reported the Kolkata Police.
According to the Indian news channel NDTV, authorities have deployed police forces, fire services, and several ambulances, and the Puja Pandal has been closed to the public while emergency operations are underway.
The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, has stated that security camera footage is already being analyzed to clarify the circumstances of the tragedy. "We will investigate whether the crowd was being properly controlled. We will hold those responsible accountable," he explained.
Eyewitnesses have indicated that numerous people fainted amid the chaos, and one of them described that both the entrance and exit were too narrow for the large number of attendees gathered at the site.
The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has announced compensations of 200,000 rupees —about 1,800 euros— for the families of the deceased victims, while the injured will receive 50,000 rupees, less than 500 euros. "I am with those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover as soon as possible. Local authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected," Modi pointed out on social media.