At least 17 people have been killed and many more injured in a crush at an event in Kolkata marking the Hindu festival of Durga Puja, officials say.
At least 17 people were killed and many more injured in a crush during a Hindu festival event in Kolkata, India. The incident occurred during sudden rainfall, which witnesses say prompted a surge of people to seek shelter. West Bengal's Chief Minister Suvendhu Adhikari confirmed that a seven-year-old girl was among the dead, and that 25 individuals were being treated for injuries. Officials have identified six of the deceased so far.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the event as a 'tragic' incident and stated that the regional government was providing assistance to affected families. A senior police official told AFP that an announcement caused 'commotion' after it started raining, leading to a stampede as the crowd pushed, pulled, and rushed forward, resulting in people falling to the ground. Such crowd incidents, particularly during religious festivals, are not uncommon in India due to challenges in crowd management and insufficient safety measures.
Why it matters
Emergency services in Kolkata are handling a large number of casualties from the festival crush.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.
What to watch
Watch for official statements from Indian authorities on the incident at the Hindu festival in Kolkata.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.