Kolkata, October 18, 2026: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced a compensation package for families affected by the deadly stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata. The state government will provide ₹25 lakh and one Group D government job to the family of each person who lost their life in the incident.
The Chief Minister also announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh for every injured person. In addition, the state government will bear the full cost of medical treatment for the injured at a hospital of their choice.
The incident occurred on the evening of October 17, 2026, during Maha Saptami celebrations. A sudden crowd surge amid heavy rainfall reportedly triggered chaos near the pandal, resulting in people falling and being crushed in the rush.
According to reports published on October 18, the death toll had risen to 19, while 25 people were injured. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals, including Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, for treatment.
Following the tragedy, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the affected area and met injured people and their families at the hospital. He assured the bereaved families that the state government would extend necessary assistance and take action against anyone found responsible for lapses in crowd management.
The compensation announcement is intended to provide financial support to families who have lost their loved ones and help injured victims meet their immediate needs.
The state government has announced a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the stampede. The proposed team will be headed by a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court, with the investigation expected to examine crowd management, security arrangements and possible negligence.
Police have detained several people, including individuals associated with the puja arrangements and security personnel, for questioning as part of the investigation. Authorities are also examining available CCTV footage to establish the sequence of events.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has separately announced financial assistance of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased victim from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). The injured will receive ₹50,000 each under the central relief announcement.
The incident has raised renewed concerns about crowd safety at major religious celebrations. Authorities are expected to examine the arrangements at the pandal and determine whether any safety protocols were breached.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on supporting affected families, ensuring proper medical care for the injured and establishing accountability for the tragedy.
