A Downpour, a Rumour and 19 Deaths: What Unfolded at Kolkata’s Chorbagan Pandal?

Seven people, including organisers of the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja celebrations, have been arrested in connection with the deadly stampede that killed at least 19 people and injured as many as 25 on Saturday evening. An official said that the Kolkata Police has registered a suo motu case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, which prompts criminal proceedings over the death.

Police on Sunday said that the seven were among 14 people detained on Saturday night as part of the investigation. "We have arrested seven people. They were among the 14 detained last night. More arrests may be made," the officer told PTI.

A huge crowd had emerged at the Chorbagan pandal as part of the Saptami celebrations. Police are investigating whether inadequate crowd management, insufficient security arrangements and confusing announcements contributed to the stampede, which occurred during Saptami celebrations amid heavy rain.

The officer said preliminary findings, including CCTV footage and statements from local residents and eyewitnesses, pointed to serious lapses by the puja organisers. "We have gathered sufficient evidence pointing to gross mismanagement by the puja organisers. There was no clear plan to manage the large number of visitors, and everything was handled verbally," the officer said.

It's too Scary 💔🫡 first time in my bloodlines , I hear Stampede in durga puja. Be Safe , Maa Durga Protect All. #Kolkata Deeply saddened by the tragic stampede in Chorbagan Sarada park , North Kolkata, West Bengal. Mandap collapses during Durga festival. 22 dead in stampede. 32 injured, transferred to hospital. Reports of chaos at the exit gate due to a massive crowd amid the rain. Be Safe , it's not to time panic.

— Purohit Says (@yashpurohitt) October 17, 2026

He added that the number of police personnel and private security guards deployed at the venue was inadequate to manage the crowd. According to the officer, the narrow entrance and exit gates, along with the restricted approach road, made it difficult for visitors to move safely when panic broke out. People reportedly tried to escape through the entrance gate during the stampede.

Police are also examining an announcement made during the incident that reportedly told visitors to leave the pandal because the structure was about to collapse. "We are trying to identify who made the announcement and what prompted it," the officer said. The Kolkata Police are planning to question survivors to establish the sequence of events and verify accounts provided by eyewitnesses and local residents.

Meanwhile, Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 on roads adjoining the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal on Sunday morning. The restrictions, which apply to roads under the jurisdiction of Bowbazar Police Station, prohibit gatherings in the surrounding area and will remain in force until October 20.

14 Injured Remain in Hospital

While 19 people lost their lives already, fourteen of the 25 people injured individuals were shifted to a private hospital in Kolkata on Sunday for better treatment. Three were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), with one in a critical condition.

West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission chairman Biswajit Basu said one of the ICU patients was in a relatively serious condition due to acidosis, a condition in which excessive acid accumulates in the body. Doctors said it could be associated with prolonged muscle injury caused by being crushed in a crowd. The other two ICU patients were showing signs of improvement, and doctors were hopeful that they could be moved to the general ward.

Basu, a retired judge, visited the hospital with doctors and other commission members to assess the condition of the injured and review the treatment being provided. "Roughly, everyone is stable, except one person. The medical aspects were examined, and we are satisfied that their treatment is proceeding properly," he said.

The remaining 11 patients in the general ward were also reported to be relatively stable. One of the injured had suffered pelvic trauma, while doctors were assessing the injuries sustained by the others. An official said orthopaedic specialists would determine the further course of treatment. The injured were relatively young and had few underlying medical conditions, which could aid their recovery.

The commission chairman said he had visited the hospital in his official capacity and expressed confidence in the hospital's trauma team. Police said the process of identifying the bodies of those killed in the stampede was also underway.

Government Orders Safety Review of Major Puja Pandals

The West Bengal government has constituted a panel to review safety arrangements at major Durga Puja pandals across the state. The panel will examine existing protocols and recommend measures for immediate implementation wherever shortcomings are identified. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has also ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court, to investigate the stampede.

The state government has announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh and a Group D government job for a family member of each person who died in the incident. The investigation is expected to focus on the organisers' preparedness, crowd-control arrangements, security deployment and the circumstances surrounding the announcements that may have triggered panic among visitors.

The stampede took place on Saturday evening as large numbers of people gathered at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal during the festive celebrations. Heavy rain and a sudden surge in the crowd are believed to have contributed to the chaos.