Kolkata stampede LIVE: Seven arrested, 12 among injured stable
Kolkata: At least 19 people died, and 25 were injured in a stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal on Saturday evening, following a surge in the crowd amid rain. A Class 12 student from West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district and a nurse from Hooghly were among those killed.
According to reports, police arrested seven people in connection with the incident.
Following the stampede, restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, were imposed in parts of Kolkata for 3 days, from October 18 to 20.
According to an order issued by Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand, the restrictions cover the area under Bowbazar Police Station bounded by College Street, CR Avenue, Collotola Street and Eden Hospital Road.
The order prohibits unlawful assemblies of 5 or more people, carrying lathis or other lethal or dangerous weapons, and any acts likely to cause a breach of peace or disturb public tranquillity in the specified area.
This Live is compiled by Mariya
Key Updates
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"This is due to the administration's negligence": Sister of stampede deceased
The parents of Sriparna Poddar, a resident of Baidyabati in West Bengal’s Hooghly district who died in the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal stampede in North Kolkata, have left for Kolkata to receive their daughter’s body.
The incident claimed 19 lives, including Sriparna's, triggering grief among her family members and neighbours.
Ripa Das, Sriparna’s foster sister, said she never imagined this would happen to her and that if arrangements were robust, the incident could be prevented.“She was a very good girl and worked as a nursing staff member. She was my sister, my elder sister. She was getting ready to go out with her friends. We never imagined that this would be her fate. If the arrangements had been a bit more robust, this incident wouldn't have happened. I will only say one thing: this is due to the administration's negligence,” Das said.
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AITC questions BJP over alleged links to Kolkata stampede pandal
The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) on Sunday questioned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over alleged links between its leaders and the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal, where a stampede claimed 19 lives and left 25 others injured, demanding accountability for the tragedy.
In a post shared on X, the AITC alleged that the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was closely associated with the puja pandal and claimed that a BJP MLA was the chairman of the puja committee.
Guess who is closely associated with the Chorebagan Puja Pandal?@SuvenduWB’s BHAIPO.A @BJP4Bengal MLA also happens to be the Chairman of this Puja Committee!Where is the accountability? Who is responsible for all these deaths? When will the CM, who clearly has NO SHAME, resign?!https://t.co/OBvFvh15YQ
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) October 17, 2026 -
Suvendu Adhikari holds high-level meeting after Kolkata stampede
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday held a high-level meeting with senior officials at Bhawani Bhawan following the stampede a day earlier at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata, which claimed 19 lives and left 25 others injured.
The Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police and representatives from various departments are attending the meeting.
Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Adhikari visited the injured undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospital in Kolkata. -
West Bengal Governor RN Ravi visits Kolkata stampede victims in hospital
West Bengal Governor RN Ravi met those injured in yesterday’s tragic stampede and enquired about their well-being and treatment at a hospital in Kolkata. He prayed for their speedy and complete recovery: Lok Bhavan, West Bengal https://t.co/NMn0tkIsoX
— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2026 -
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Kejriwal extends condolences to families of Kolkata stampede victims
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday expressed grief over the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal stampede in North Kolkata that claimed 19 lives, calling the incident “extremely tragic and heart-wrenching”.
In a post on X, Kejriwal said, “The accident that occurred in the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata is extremely tragic and heart-wrenching.” -
Yogi Adityanath orders Durga Puja pandal safety checks after Kolkata stampede
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed Police Commissioners, District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police to inspect security and safety arrangements at Durga Puja pandals, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said on Sunday.
The move comes after a tragedy occurred at the renowned Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata, where an overwhelming surge of devotees led to a fatal stampede that claimed 19 lives and left 25 others hospitalised. -
14 people admitted to Apollo hospital, five in ICU
Dr Narayan Banerjee told ANI that a total of 14 people injured in the stampede are underoging treatment at Apollo Hospital, Salt Lake. Among the patients, five are in the ICU and others are admitted to the ward.
“ I think most of them will be discharged tomorrow, and a few who require surgery will remain here. Except for one patient who has a fractured pelvis and urethra, the others do not have very serious injuries or internal injuries so far. A young child, aged 13, was also admitted. She is fine,” he said.#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: Dr Narayan Banerjee from Apollo Hospital Salt Lake says, "Amit Shah ji came; it's a very good thing because the government has done whatever is possible. Except for two patients, all the others are stable. Of the 14 patients admitted, five are in the ICU, and the rest are in the ward. I think most of them will be discharged tomorrow, and a few who require surgery will remain here. Except for one patient who has a fractured pelvis and urethra, the others do not have very serious injuries or internal injuries so far. A young child, aged 13, was also admitted. She is fine..."
— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2026 -
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Amit shah visits injured
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari reached Apollo Hospital in Salt Lake and visited those injured in the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja stampede incident.
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari meet those injured in the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja stampede incident at Apollo Hospital https://t.co/3Ym97VirEQ
— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2026 -
WB govt to provide Rs 25 lakh to deceased's kin, PMO announces Rs 2 lakh
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that his government will provide Rs 25 lakh and a Group D govt job for the family of each deceased.
Rs 5 lakh will also be given to each injured person, and the entire treatment cost at any hospital of their choice will be borne by the government, he added.
Meanwhile, PM Modi announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
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"No one should politicise incident": MoS Tokhan Sahu
Following the stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata that claimed 19 lives, Union Minister of State (MoS) Tokhan Sahu on Sunday said "not to politicise" the incident and added that the government stands with them.
He added that the Chief Minister of West Bengal has shown great sensitivity by announcing assistance. Speaking to reporters on the stampede incident, MoS Sahu said, "...In the wake of such a tragic incident, we must all stand by those affected, out of a sense of humanity. No one should politicise this. The Chief Minister of West Bengal has shown great sensitivity by announcing assistance for the families of the deceased and by visiting the injured; the government stands with them..."
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Seven, including Chorbagan Durga Puja organisers, arrested
Kolkata Police have arrested seven people, including organisers of Chorbagan Durga Puja, for the pandal stampede that killed at least 19 people, a senior officer said on Sunday.Police have also registered a suo motu case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Law enforcers detained 14 people on Saturday night in connection with their probe into the incident.
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Prohibitory orders imposed for three days
Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, has been imposed in parts of the city for three days, from October 18 to 20.
According to an order issued by Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand, the restrictions apply to the area under Bowbazar Police Station, bounded by College Street, CR Avenue, Collotola Street and Eden Hospital Road.
The order prohibits unlawful assemblies of five or more persons, carrying lathis, lethal or other dangerous weapons, and any acts likely to cause a breach of peace or disturb public tranquillity in the specified area. - ANI
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