A stampede at a Durga Puja festival in Kolkata left at least 17 people dead. Officials say heavy rain triggered the fatal crowd surge.
A deadly crush occurred at a Hindu festival in Kolkata, India. At least 17 people lost their lives during the event. Many other attendees suffered injuries.
The incident happened during the Durga Puja festival celebrations. Heavy rain began to fall suddenly. Crowds rushed to find cover from the storm.
Next, the situation turned chaotic. A police official said an announcement caused a panic. People began pushing and pulling each other.
Meanwhile, many people fell to the ground. This movement created a dangerous stampede. The crowd surge led to the tragic deaths.
Also, West Bengal official Suvendhu Adhikari shared details on the victims. A seven-year-old girl is among the deceased. Doctors are currently treating 25 injured people.
After that, officials began the process of identifying the victims. They have successfully named six of the people who died. Local authorities remain on the scene.
Then, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the event. He called the situation very tragic. The government is now helping the affected families.
However, crowd crushes occur often in India during religious festivals. Experts point to poor management as a major issue. Many events lack proper safety precautions.
Finally, history shows the danger of large gatherings in the country. Two years ago, a similar event killed 121 people in Uttar Pradesh. Officials continue to review safety measures for future festivals.