A devastating stampede unfolded at a Durga Puja pandal in the Chorbagan area of Kolkata on Sunday night, claiming the lives of 19 individuals and injuring many more. The incident occurred during one of the most visited festivals in West Bengal, highlighting severe lapses in crowd management and safety protocols.
In response to this calamity, authorities have detained several organizers of the event and initiated safety inspections across major pandals in the city. West Bengal Chief Minister announced arrests and a judge-supervised SIT probe.
- Immediate investigations launched — A Special Investigation Team has been formed to probe the incident.
- Safety checks at major pandals — Authorities are conducting inspections to prevent further incidents.
- Organizers detained — Several event organizers have been taken into custody for questioning.
The fire department has also issued notices to three prominent pandals for failing to adhere to safety regulations. This tragedy has reignited discussions about the need for stringent crowd control measures during festivals, which attract large gatherings.
