At least 19 killed in stampede at religious gathering in India

At least 19 individuals lost their lives and around 25 others sustained injuries during a stampede that occurred at a Hindu religious gathering in Kolkata, India, on Saturday. The tragic incident took place in the city's bustling streets, where a sudden downpour led to a chaotic situation. West Bengal's Chief Minister, Suvendhu Adhikari, confirmed that the fatalities included a seven-year-old girl, emphasizing the severity of the tragedy.

Six bodies have been identified so far, according to Adhikari. The incident unfolded when an announcement caused commotion as the crowd, already pushed and pulled by the sudden rain, rushed forward, resulting in a deadly stampede. Emergency services swiftly moved the injured on stretchers to nearby hospitals, with several relatives heartbroken as they mourned the loss of their loved ones.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences for the bereaved families, wishing the injured a speedy recovery. The West Bengal government is providing all possible assistance to the affected families. Adhikari initially reported 17 fatalities, which later increased to 19, as confirmed by the Press Trust of India (PTI).

Nine bodies have been released to their families, and authorities are considering taking legal action against those who failed in their duty to maintain crowd control. The tragic event highlights the recurring issue of deadly crowd incidents at Indian mass gatherings, particularly during religious festivals. Last year, a stampede at India's Kumbh Mela religious fair claimed 30 lives, while celebrations for a successful Indian Premier League cricket team in Bengaluru resulted in the death of 11 fans.

Additionally, 36 people were killed and 121 others perished in stampedes during a campaign rally of a popular actor-turned-politician in Tamil Nadu and a Hindu religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh, respectively, in the same year.