Stampede at Kolkata Chorbagan Durga Puja Pandal: 19 Dead, 35 Injured, Postmortem Reveals Causes
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By • Published 19 Oct 2026• Updated 19 Oct 2026
The stampede at Kolkata’s Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal on Saturday evening shook the city. Due to heavy crowds, rain, and inadequate crowd management, 19 people died and 35 were seriously injured. To understand the depth of the incident, postmortem reports from Calcutta Medical College and NRS Medical College revealed the causes.
Summary of the Incident
On the evening of Saptami, a sudden surge of people gathered near the pandal located on Muktaram Babu Street. Amid the rain, growing panic in the crowd triggered the stampede. Initially, 13 women, two boys (aged 5 and 13), and several others died, while a total of 45 injured were taken to hospitals. Later, the death toll rose to 19.
Key Findings from Postmortem Reports
Postmortems conducted at Calcutta Medical College and NRS Medical College categorized the causes of death into three main groups:
1. Traumatic Asphyxia (Breathing Arrest)
At least six victims, including children, died due to breathing arrest. Doctors explained that excessive pressure on the chest from crowd compression stopped blood circulation and caused oxygen deprivation. No major external injuries were found on these bodies.
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2. Injuries from Chest Compression
Postmortems confirmed broken ribs in seven victims. The fractured ribs punctured the lungs, causing internal bleeding and lung injuries that proved fatal.
3. Severe Head Injuries
At least five victims had severe head injuries. Internal brain bleeding occurred due to falls or collisions with objects, leading to death.
Key Points
- 19 deaths (13 women, 2 boys, 4 others) and 35 seriously injured in the incident.
- Postmortems identified traumatic asphyxia, chest compression injuries, and severe head injuries as main causes.
- At least seven victims had broken ribs causing internal lung injuries.
- Six children died from breathing arrest without major external injuries.
- Seven members of the Puja committee were arrested for negligence in crowd management near the pandal.
- The West Bengal government ordered compensation for victims’ families and Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari ordered a full investigation.
Investigation and Legal Action
Following the incident, West Bengal Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari immediately ordered a comprehensive investigation. Police took seven members of the pandal committee into custody on charges of negligence in crowd management. The final medical report, expected to be released on Sunday, is considered a crucial part of the investigation.
Government Response and Compensation
The state government announced financial compensation for the families of the victims. Additionally, policy measures to strengthen crowd control and security during large religious events in the future have been promised.
Need for Future Safety Measures
This tragic event highlights that crowd management, weather conditions, and emergency exit planning cannot be overlooked at large public gatherings. Experts recommend mandatory structural safety of pandals, multiple entry-exit points, and real-time crowd monitoring systems.
Following the incident, citizens and social organizations have also demanded stricter safety standards to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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