{
  "id": 15389774,
  "title": "'My Heartfelt Condolences': Shikhar Dhawan Expresses Grief After Kolkata Durga Puja Stampede Claims 19 Lives",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/my-heartfelt-condolences-shikhar-dhawan-expresses-grief-after-kolkata",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T09:25:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/my-heartfelt-condolences-shikhar-dhawan-expresses-grief-after-kolkata-durga-puja-stampede-claims-19-lives"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan conveyed his deep sorrow after the heartbreaking stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, which tragically resulted in the loss of 19 lives and left 25 others injured. The incident, which took place on Saturday evening at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata, saw a surge in the crowd amidst heavy rainfall, leading to panic and chaos. Dhawan, through his X account, extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, praying for the swift recovery of the injured. His message echoed the sentiments of other public figures who expressed their sympathies following the devastating tragedy. The West Bengal government responded to the incident by providing financial support of ₹25 lakh to each deceased victim's family, along with a government job for an eligible relative. Additionally, ₹5 lakh in compensation and medical expense coverage were offered to the injured individuals.",
  "summary": "Former India cricketer Shikhar Dhawan expressed grief following the tragic stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata that claimed 19 lives and left 25 people injured. Taking to X, Dhawan offered his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident. \"Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the Kolkata stampede. My heartfelt condolences to…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "NDTV",
        "title": "Kolkata Durga Puja Stampede Updates: At Least 35 Injured, Chief Minister Reaches Hospital",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/kolkata-durga-puja-stampede-updates-at-least-35-injured-chief",
        "published": "2026-10-17T16:29:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Kolkata Durga Puja Stampede Live Updates: Loudspeaker announcement triggered stampede; organisers detained, says CM Adhikari",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/kolkata-durga-puja-stampede-live-updates-loudspeaker-announcement",
        "published": "2026-10-17T16:52:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "Kolkata Durga Puja Stampede: President Droupadi Murmu, PM Narendra Modi, & Other Top Leaders Express Grief Over 17 Deaths",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/kolkata-durga-puja-stampede-president-droupadi-murmu-pm-narendra-modi",
        "published": "2026-10-17T18:52:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "17 dead, 25 hurt in stampede at Durga Puja gathering in Kolkata",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/17-dead-25-hurt-in-stampede-at-durga-puja-gathering-in-kolkata",
        "published": "2026-10-17T19:36:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times",
        "title": "HT Morning News Brief October 18: 19 dead in Kolkata Durga Puja pandal stampede; CJI says youth questioning is healthy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/ht-morning-news-brief-october-18-19-dead-in-kolkata-durga-puja-pandal",
        "published": "2026-10-18T03:40:31.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}