{
  "id": 15247040,
  "title": "'Thoughts with those who have lost their loved ones': PM Modi on Kolkata stampede",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/thoughts-with-those-who-have-lost-their-loved-ones-pm-modi-on-kolkata",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-17T17:27:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/thoughts-with-those-who-have-lost-their-loved-ones-pm-modi-on-kolkata-stampede/articleshow/135017835.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the tragic Kolkata stampede that resulted in 17 deaths and 15 injuries. The PM announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for each injured individual from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). The incident, which occurred around 7:40 pm in Girish Park police station area during heavy rainfall, saw a surge of pandal visitors causing a stampede. The injured were quickly rescued and taken to Calcutta Medical College for treatment. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal, Health Minister Saradwat Mukherjee, and other senior officials visited the hospital to console the wounded. Police, fire brigade personnel, disaster management teams, and medical teams were on the scene, along with ambulances. The pandal was subsequently closed to the public. Police set up helplines at the Lalbazar Control Room to address concerns about the incident. The numbers for assistance are 18003455678 and 03322141310. West Bengal Governor RN Ravi also conveyed condolences, praying for the injured to recover swiftly.",
  "summary": "The incident occurred around 7.40 pm in the Girish Park police station area amid heavy crowds of pandal visitors and rainfall. As rain began, people waiting outside the pandal rushed forward, causing some to fall on the road and triggering a stampede, a senior police officer told PTI. All the injured were rescued and taken to Calcutta Medical College for treatment.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "At least 25 injured in stampede-like situation at Kolkata Durga Puja pandal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/at-least-25-injured-in-stampede-like-situation-at-kolkata-durga-puja",
        "published": "2026-10-17T16:15:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}