17 People Killed in Kolkata Stampede During Durga Puja Festival

At least 17 people have been killed and many more injured during a crush at a Durga Puja event in Kolkata, officials said.

A sudden rainfall caused a surge of attendees seeking shelter, setting the stage for the tragic crowd collapse.

West Bengal’s Chief Minister Suvendhu Adhikari confirmed a seven‑year‑old girl among the dead and that 25 people were treated for injuries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as a 'tragic' event and said the regional government was providing aid to affected families.

Six of the fatalities have been identified so far.

A senior police official told AFP that an announcement triggered 'commotion' after rain began; the crowd began 'pushing, pulling and rushing forward', resulting in the stampede.

Crowd crushes at religious festivals are not uncommon in India, typically stemming from poor management and a lack of safety precautions.

Two years earlier, 121 people were killed in a similar gathering in Uttar Pradesh.