Kolkata stampede LIVE: 18 dead in Chorbagan incident; PM Modi, Mamata Banerjee express condolences

LiveOct 17, 2026, 23:12:28 ISTKolkata stampede LIVE: A stampede took place at Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity puja pandal in Kolkata. While several are said to have been injured, there is no confirmation on any fatalities yet.3 Mins agoPiyush Goyal, Mallikarjun Kharge express condolences4 Mins agoAmit Shah postpones schedule in Bengal to visit those injured11 Mins agoWitness says it started to rain as crowd entered pandal13 Mins ago‘Deeply shocked and saddened’, says Mamata Banerjee17 Mins agoPM Modi expresses condolences, calls incident ‘extremely distressing’34 Mins agoSome pandals with heavy footfall closed42 Mins agoBengal governor mourns ‘loss of precious lives’48 Mins agoSuvendu Adhikari reaches hospital to meet the injuredKolkata: Security and police personnel control the area outside a Durga Puja pandal after the exit gate collapsed due to heavy crowd pressure, leading to a stampede-like situation, in Kolkata.Kolkata stampede LIVE: At least 18 people died and several others were injured in a stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata. The incident took place Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity puja pandal in the city. West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari and Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal visited those injured at Calcutta Medical College and Hospital.Condolences pour in Several leaders, including PM Narendra Modi, chief minister Suvendu Adhikari and former chief minister Mamata Banerjee, expressed condolences over the stampede deaths. “Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the stampede at the Chore Bagan Puja Pandal. I pray to Maa Durga for the speedy recovery of all those injured and for strength and courage for their families during this difficult time,” she said in a tweet. Adhikari said families of some victims have reached the hospital while authorities are trying to get in touch with the others. Bengal governor RN Ravi, union home minister Amit Shah, the Aam Aadmi Party and TMC leader Kunal Ghosh also expressed grief. What we know so far The stampede occurred at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity puja pandal in Kolkata. The pandal was subsequently closed, and so were other such pandals that were seeing a heavy footfall on Durga Puja. The state government launched a helpline 18003455678. The Kolkata Police launched another helpline 03322141310. “The incident took place around 7:30 pm. The crowd at the pandal was already swelling. As it started to rain more people entered the pandal. This resulted in a stampede. Several people were injured,” Dipali Das, a pandal hopper, told the media. ...Read MoreCondolences pour in Several leaders, including PM Narendra Modi, chief minister Suvendu Adhikari and former chief minister Mamata Banerjee, expressed condolences over the stampede deaths. “Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the stampede at the Chore Bagan Puja Pandal. I pray to Maa Durga for the speedy recovery of all those injured and for strength and courage for their families during this difficult time,” she said in a tweet. Adhikari said families of some victims have reached the hospital while authorities are trying to get in touch with the others. Bengal governor RN Ravi, union home minister Amit Shah, the Aam Aadmi Party and TMC leader Kunal Ghosh also expressed grief. What we know so far The stampede occurred at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity puja pandal in Kolkata. The pandal was subsequently closed, and so were other such pandals that were seeing a heavy footfall on Durga Puja. The state government launched a helpline 18003455678. The Kolkata Police launched another helpline 03322141310. “The incident took place around 7:30 pm. The crowd at the pandal was already swelling. As it started to rain more people entered the pandal. This resulted in a stampede. Several people were injured,” Dipali Das, a pandal hopper, told the media. Follow all the updates here:Oct 17, 2026, 23:10:10 ISTKolkata stampede LIVE: Piyush Goyal, Mallikarjun Kharge express condolencesKolkata stampede LIVE: Union minister Piyush Goyal and Lok Sabha MP Mallikarjun Kharge expressed condolences over the stampede. “My deepest condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured,” Goyal posted on X.“I urge the West Bengal Government to ensure immediate rescue and medical assistance, adequate compensation to the families of the deceased and the injured, and a thorough investigation to prevent such tragedies in the future,” Kharge said. Oct 17, 2026, 23:08:44 ISTKolkata stampede LIVE: Amit Shah postpones schedule in Bengal to visit those injuredKolkata stampede LIVE: Union home minister Amit Shah expressed condolences over the stampede deaths and said he was postponing his Bengal schedule to meet injured victims. “I have spoken with Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari about this matter. I pray for the peace of the souls of those who have lost their lives in this tragic accident and extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family members. The administration is making arrangements for the best possible medical treatment for the injured,” he wrote on X.Oct 17, 2026, 23:01:19 ISTKolkata stampede LIVE: Witness says it started to rain as crowd entered pandalKolkata stampede LIVE: Recalling what happened before the incident, a witness named Dipali Das told the media: “The incident took place around 7:30 pm. The crowd at the pandal was already swelling. As it started to rain more people entered the pandal. This resulted in a stampede. Several people were injured."Oct 17, 2026, 22:59:55 ISTKolkata stampede LIVE: ‘Deeply shocked and saddened’, says Mamata BanerjeeKolkata stampede LIVE: Ex-West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she was “deeply shocked and saddened” by the loss of lives in the stampede. “Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the stampede at the Chore Bagan Puja Pandal. I pray to Maa Durga for the speedy recovery of all those injured and for strength and courage for their families during this difficult time,” she said. Oct 17, 2026, 22:56:09 ISTKolkata stampede LIVE: PM Modi expresses condolences, calls incident ‘extremely distressing’Kolkata stampede LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident. “The stampede in Kolkata is extremely distressing. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected,” he said. Oct 17, 2026, 22:38:19 ISTKolkata stampede LIVE: Some pandals with heavy footfall closedKolkata stampede LIVE: The Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity puja pandal, where the stampede occurred, was closed. Soon after, a few other puja pandals such as Chetla Agrani and Tala Prottay, which were registering heavy footfall, were also closed down, police said.Inputs from Joydeep Thakur.Oct 17, 2026, 22:30:19 ISTKolkata stampede LIVE: Bengal governor mourns ‘loss of precious lives’Kolkata stampede LIVE: West Bengal Governor RN Ravi reacted to the stampede news and said he “many precious lives” were lost. However, there is no official confirmation on the number of deaths yet. “I am deeply heartbroken by the tragic stampede incident at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, resulting in the loss of many precious lives. In this hour of grief, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured,” a statement by Lok Bhavan said. Oct 17, 2026, 22:24:19 ISTKolkata stampede LIVE: Suvendu Adhikari reaches hospital to meet the injuredKolkata stampede LIVE: West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari and Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal visited those injured in the stampede, at Calcutta Medical College and Hospital. Home India news Kolkata stampede LIVE: 18 dead in Chorbagan incident; PM Modi, Mamata Banerjee express condolences