Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief at the tragic stampede in a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata on Saturday evening.
“Deeply saddened to learn about the tragic stampede in Kolkata. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. May Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath grant eternal peace to the departed souls and bless the injured with a speedy recovery,” Majhi posted on his personal X handle.
Deeply saddened to learn about the tragic stampede in Kolkata. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
May Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath grant eternal peace to the departed souls and bless the injured with a speedy recovery.
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) October 17, 2026
So far, 19 people, including a child, have succumbed to their injuries suffered in the stampede in Chor Bagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata, according to the latest media reports on Sunday morning.
The administration is yet to confirm the number of injured still undergoing treatment at Calcutta Medical College and other hospitals in the city.
BJD leader Naveen Patnaik also expressed condolences to the grieving families and wished speedy recovery to the injured.
“Deeply saddened to learn about the tragic loss of so many lives in the stampede at the Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata. My thoughts and prayers are with the grieving families who have lost their near and dear ones. May the families have enough strength to bear the loss and praying for the swift recovery of those who sustained injuries,” he posted on X on Saturday night.
Deeply saddened to learn about the tragic loss of so many lives in the stampede at the Durga Puja pandal in #Kolkata. My thoughts and prayers are with the grieving families who have lost their near and dear ones. May the families have enough strength to bear the loss and praying for the swift recovery of those who sustained injuries.
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) October 17, 2026
The Puja pandal – considered one of the most attractive this year – has been closed down by the police. Prima facie investigation has revealed that there were heavy crowds trying to enter the pandal on Saptami evening when a thunderstorm struck.
ALSO READ: Seventeen Killed, Several Injured In Kolkata Puja Pandal Stampede
People waiting in queues outside pushed aside barricades and attempted to enter the pandal. This overcrowding led to the collapse of a portion of the pandal. As people attempted to leave, the stampede-like situation occurred near the exit gate.
“Stampede occurred at the exit gate of Sarada Park (Chor Bagan) Durga Puja pandal, under Girish Park police station, around 7.40 pm on 17 October due to heavy crowding amid rain,” Kolkata Police said in a statement.