World
Stampede at Durga Puja festival in Kolkata kills at least 17
October 17, 2026 at 10:27 PM
At least 17 people died and 25 were injured in a stampede at a Durga Puja festival in north Kolkata during sudden rainfall, officials confirmed.
- The stampede occurred Saturday evening at a Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata amid heavy crowds and rainfall, police said.
- A senior police official told AFP an announcement caused commotion after rain began, pushing the crowd forward until people fell and triggered the stampede.
- Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said a seven-year-old girl was among the dead, with six bodies identified so far.
- Modi's office announced compensation of 200,000 rupees ($2,106) for families of the deceased and 50,000 rupees ($527) per injured.