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At Least 17 Killed in Stampede at Hindu Festival in India
· Confirmed
In Short: At least 17 people were killed and 25 injured in a stampede at a Hindu religious festival in Kolkata, India, according to Al Jazeera (Qatar) and Arabnews (Saudi Arabia).
At least 17 people were killed and 25 injured in a stampede at a Hindu religious festival in Kolkata, India, according to Al Jazeera (Qatar) and Arabnews (Saudi Arabia).
Al Jazeera reported that the incident occurred in north Kolkata in West Bengal state amid heavy crowds and rainfall, while Arabnews stated that the stampede happened in the evening due to heavy crowds and sudden rainfall.
Both outlets reported that a senior police official at the scene told the AFP news agency that an announcement caused commotion after it started raining, leading to the crowd pushing and rushing forward, resulting in the stampede.
Al Jazeera reported that six bodies have been identified, while Arabnews cited the Press Trust of India (PTI) stating that the death toll rose to 19 and nine dead bodies have been released to their families.
West Bengal’s Chief Minister Suvendhu Adhikari told reporters that the fatalities included a seven-year-old girl and that 25 other people were injured outside a pavilion during the Durga Puja festival.
Videos shot before the stampede showed large crowds waiting to enter a pavilion in an area with narrow lanes, according to Arabnews, which cited the Indian Express.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the bereaved families and announced a compensation payment of 200,000 rupees ($2,106) for the next of kin of those who died and 50,000 rupees each for the injured.
Interior Minister Amit Shah said the administration is ensuring that all possible medical facilities are being provided to the injured.
In 2023, a stampede at India’s Kumbh Mela religious fair killed 30 people and injured several others, and 11 fans were crushed to death in Bengaluru during celebrations for the local cricket team’s first Indian Premier League title.
The same year, 36 people were killed in a stampede at a campaign rally for a popular actor-turned-politician in southern Tamil Nadu state.
In 2013, pilgrims visiting a temple for a popular Hindu festival in central Madhya Pradesh state trampled each other amid fears that a bridge would collapse, and at least 115 were crushed to death or died in the river.
What this adds
The incident highlights the recurring safety concerns at large religious gatherings in India, where overcrowding and sudden weather changes can lead to deadly stampedes.
Background
The incident is part of a series of stampedes in India, including one in 2024 where 121 people were killed in northern Uttar Pradesh state during a Hindu religious gathering.
What's confirmed
- “Six bodies have so far been identified,” Adhikari said.
- West Bengal’s Chief Minister Suvendhu Adhikari told reporters the fatalities included a seven-year-old girl, adding that 25 other people were injured outside a pavilion “in a stampede” at the Hindu festival of Durga Puja in the city of Kolkata.
- KOLKATA, India — At least 17 people were killed and two dozen more injured Saturday in eastern India after a stampede that was likely caused by sudden rainfall during a Hindu religious gathering, officials said.
- The same year, 36 people were killed after a stampede broke out at a campaign rally of a popular actor-turned-politician in southern Tamil Nadu state.
- Last year, a stampede at India’s Kumbh Mela religious fair killed 30 people and injured several others, and 11 fans were crushed to death in Bengaluru during celebrations for the local cricket team’s first Indian Premier League title.
- In 2024, 121 people were killed in northern Uttar Pradesh state during a Hindu religious gathering.
- “Condolences to the bereaved families. Wishing the injured a speedy recovery. The West Bengal Government is providing all possible help to the affected families,” Modi wrote on X. Modi’s office announced a compensation payment of 200,000 rupees ($2,106) for the next of kin of those who died and 50,000 rupees ($527) each for the injured.
What's still developing
- The stampede took place about 350 kilometers (217 miles) southwest of state capital Lucknow.
- A record 100 million devotees were expected to engage in the ritual bath in India At least 30 people have died following a stampede at the world’s largest religious gathering in India, authorities reportedly said.
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- Uttar Pradesh’s chief minister, Yogi Adityanath, called the stampede “extremely sad and heart-wrenching” in a post on social media platform X.
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- LUCKNOW, India — Thousands of people at a religious gathering in India rushed to leave a makeshift tent, setting off a stampede Tuesday that killed at least 116 people and injured scores, officials said.
- Initial reports said organizers had permission to host about 5,000 people, but more than 15,000 came for the event by the Hindu preacher, who used to be a police officer in the state before he left his job to give religious sermons.
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