Stampede at Festival Pandal in Kolkata Leaves at Least 17 Dead

A deadly stampede at a celebration pandal in West Bengal has killed between 17 and 19 people and injured dozens more.

At least 17 people were killed and dozens injured in a mass stampede at a pandal site in the city of Kolkata, West Bengal, Indian news outlets Amar Ujala and The Times of India reported. While The Times of India reported that the death toll reached 19, Amar Ujala cited 17 fatalities and at least 35 injured individuals evacuated for medical care.

Following the disaster, state Chief Minister Suvendu ordered the formation of an inquiry committee to examine the circumstances of the incident and visited the injured at a local hospital. Authorities also announced financial compensation of 2.5 million rupees alongside employment provisions for the families of the victims.

The precise circumstances that triggered the stampede and further details regarding the medical condition of the injured have not yet been officially released.