Kolkata stampede: Pandal collapse warning triggered panic; seven, including committee members, arrested

KOLKATA: Seven people, including office-bearers of a Durga Puja organising committee, have been arrested in connection with a stampede at a north Kolkata pandal that killed 19 people and injured 25. Police are investigating whether an announcement warning that the pandal could collapse triggered panic among visitors on Saturday evening.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Saturday that a preliminary investigation suggested an announcement by the organisers had led to the stampede. Police said they had obtained footage of an announcement warning people that the pandal could collapse and were investigating who made it and why. Heavy rain and overcrowding at the venue also contributed to the chaos, while possible lapses in crowd management and security arrangements are being examined.

Those arrested include Chorbagan Durga Puja Committee secretary Raj Kumar Sewda, vice-president Santanu Dubey, bamboo structure contractor Biplab Mukherjee, crowd-management personnel Kaushik Saha and Pintu Dey, and private security in-charges Suman Chakraborty and Rajesh Pal. Fourteen people were initially detained for questioning, with seven subsequently arrested. Police have registered a case in connection with the incident.

Adhikari announced that a Special Investigation Team headed by a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court would investigate the tragedy and examine possible safety lapses. He warned that action would be taken against those found responsible, including organisers and personnel assigned to security duties. Several crowded Durga Puja pandals across Kolkata were also temporarily closed following the incident.

The West Bengal government announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh and a government job for the family of each deceased person. Each injured person will receive Rs 5 lakh, with medical expenses covered by the state. Separately, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced assistance of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased person and Rs 50,000 for each injured person from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the injured at the hospital after arriving in Kolkata on Saturday evening and postponed his scheduled official engagements. Footage recorded shortly before the stampede showed people packed inside the low-ceilinged pandal, with women and children among those screaming. Adhikari urged Puja organisers to prioritise public safety, ensure adequate lighting and provide separate entry and exit gates.