A stampede occurred at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal, leading to 19 fatalities and multiple injuries.
A microphone announcement warning visitors that the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal was at risk of collapsing may have triggered panic and contributed to a stampede that killed 19 people and injured 25 in north Kolkata on Saturday evening, police said on Sunday. Meanwhile, Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita on roads adjoining the pandal until October 20.
A senior police officer said preliminary findings pointed to a combination of poor crowd management, confusing announcements and a sudden surge of visitors seeking shelter from a downpour during Saptami celebrations. The gates and approach road to the pandal were narrow, according to police. Police said they would question survivors to cross-check eyewitness accounts and reconstruct the sequence of events.
KOLKATA: “The condition of the pandal is very bad. It will collapse. Please leave. A video of the announcement, which is being examined by Kolkata Police, captures the warning that the pandal could collapse. Police are trying to identify who made the announcement and establish what prompted it. Police have collected CCTV footage and recorded statements from locals and eyewitnesses. Investigators are also examining whether inadequate deployment of police personnel and private security guards worsened the situation. As panic spread, visitors attempted to escape through the entrance, contributing to the crush. Announcements regarding entry, exit and crowd movement were also inadequate, leaving people confused amid the rush.
A forensic team visited the site on Saturday night to collect evidence, with another team expected to conduct further examinations.