Kolkata stampede: PM Modi announces compensation as Murmu, Amit Shah and Mamata Banerjee express grief over tragedy

Political leaders across party lines expressed grief after a stampede at Kolkata’s Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal left at least 17 people dead and several others injured on Saturday, 17 October.

Political leaders express grief over the stampede at Kolkata’s Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee offered condolences to the victims’ families and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

The tragedy unfolded amid heavy rain and overcrowding at the north Kolkata pandal on Saptami, the seventh day of Durga Puja. Kolkata Police said at least 25 people were injured and taken to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital.

PM Modi announces financial assistance

PM Modi expressed sorrow over the stampede in a post on X, extending condolences to families who had lost loved ones and wishing the injured an early recovery. He added that the local administration was providing all possible assistance to those affected.

The Prime Minister also announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each person who died. Those injured will receive ₹50,000.

President Murmu offers condolences

President Droupadi Murmu described the deaths at the Durga Puja pandal as extremely heartbreaking. She conveyed her deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the swift recovery of those injured.

Her message came as emergency services and hospital staff continued responding to the incident.

Amit Shah postpones Bengal programmes

Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed grief over the incident and said he had spoken to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. He offered condolences to the families of those who died and prayed for the injured to recover quickly.

Shah also postponed his scheduled programmes in West Bengal for Sunday, saying he would visit the hospital to meet those injured. He said the administration was ensuring that medical assistance was available to them.

Mamata Banerjee expresses shock

Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she was deeply shocked and saddened by the stampede at the Chorbagan Puja pandal. In a post on X, she prayed to Maa Durga for the speedy recovery of those injured and for their families to find strength and courage during the difficult period.

Nitin Nabin also reacts

BJP national president Nitin Nabin expressed anguish over the loss of lives, praying for peace for the deceased and a speedy recovery for those injured. He also said the administration was extending all possible assistance to those affected.

What happened

At least 17 people have been confirmed dead and 25 others injured in a stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said. The incident occurred around 7.40 PM amid heavy rain and a large crowd, when visitors rushed towards the pandal.

The injured were taken to Kolkata Medical College and Hospital, while police, fire brigade personnel and disaster management teams were deployed for rescue operations. The pandal was subsequently closed to visitors as authorities began investigating the circumstances that led to the tragedy.