18 killed in Kolkata Durga puja pandal stampede:45 injured; organisers private security personnel detained

A stampede broke out at the Chorebagan Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata on Saturday evening, killing 18 people. The victims include four men, 13 women and a seven-year-old child. However, sources at Kolkata Medical College have put the death toll at 20. More than 45 people have been injured. Following the stampede at the Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal, the organisers and private security personnel have been detained by Kolkata Police. PM announces ex-gratia The Prime Minister has announced that an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000. Key details about the incident According to reports, it began raining at around 7.40 pm on Saturday, prompting many people to take shelter inside the pandal. A crush followed as more visitors tried to enter, leading to a scramble among the crowd. The pandal lights were switched off after the incident, and entry was stopped. The West Bengal government has set up a toll-free helpline at 18003455678. Several Durga Puja pandals across Kolkata have been closed following the Chorbagan incident. ​