Chorbagan pandal stampede: Mismanagement, confusing announcements led to mishap, say Kolkata Police
Circumstantial evidence, along with accounts from locals and eyewitnesses, suggests that inadequate crowd control contributed to the incident at the pandal on October 17 evening, he said
Relatives of victims killed in a stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal gathered outside a mortuary in Kolkata, on October 18, 2026. At least 19 people were killed and 25 others injured, according to the Kolkata Police. A senior police officer attributed the incident to mismanagement and confusing announcements. The officer stated that inadequate crowd control and a lack of police personnel contributed to the panic among visitors during a sudden downpour on October 17 evening.
The police found the number of security guards deployed at the venue was insufficient, and the narrow entrance gates and roads worsened the situation. CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts, and recorded announcements were analyzed in the investigation. Police also discovered an announcement asking people to leave the pandal due to an imminent collapse.
A Special Investigation Team, led by a Calcutta High Court judge, has been formed to probe the incident. The state government has promised financial compensation to the families of the deceased victims.
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