Kolkata, October 18, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Eyewitnesses to the stampede at the Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, which claimed 19 lives, have blamed poor crowd management and sudden rain for the tragedy. The state government has not officially cited the reasons behind the incident.
Sonu Pal, a resident of Kumortuli, said he had visited the Chorebagan pandal with his mother on the evening of Saptami to see the Durga idol. He said heavy rain prompted people to crowd inside the pandal, while visitors waiting at the entrance continued pushing to get in.
“It was raining outside. No one wanted to come out of the pandal. Meanwhile, the visitors standing at the entrance to escape the rain kept pushing to enter,” Pal said.
He said the pressure from the crowd eventually caused people inside the pandal to fall over one another.
“Unable to handle the pressure, everyone inside the mandap fell on each other. I myself was also crushed. Somehow, I saved myself,” he added.
Other eyewitnesses alleged that announcements regarding entry, exit and crowd control were inadequate, creating confusion among visitors and contributing to the chaos.
Local residents also claimed that police deployment at the venue was insufficient, alleging that personnel were present mainly near the VIP gate. They further alleged that administrative assistance was lacking when the injured needed to be taken to hospital.
Videos shared by several X accounts showed a large crowd gathered outside the Chorebagan Puja pandal. Screams and cries could be heard as people fell to the ground, with some appearing unconscious. While some gathered around the injured, others were seen running in panic amid the rain. A few people were also seen pulling injured individuals out of the pandal by their feet and carrying them away.
Another eyewitness said heavy rain began across north and central Kolkata on the evening of Saptami, leading to traffic congestion on the roads as crowds surged inside the Chorebagan pandal.
According to the eyewitness, people waiting in queues tried to enter the pandal to escape the rain, triggering pushing and overcrowding. Several visitors reportedly fell on the circular pathway inside the venue, creating a situation in which people were trampled.
The stampede left 19 people dead and 25 injured.
Meanwhile, police arrested seven people, including organisers, on Sunday in connection with the incident. Further details about the circumstances leading to the stampede are awaited.
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