17 killed in stampede at India’s Durga Puja festival
No fewer than 17 people died, and dozens more were injured in a stampede during a Hindu festival in Kolkata city, India, on Saturday, according to Samik Bhattacharya, the president of the ruling party in the state of West Bengal.
Unprecedented rainfall interrupted the Hindu’s annual Durga Puja festival on Saturday, leading devotees to scramble for shelter in a disorderly manner. The incident devolved into chaos as worshippers pushed and pulled to break away from the crowd and seek shelter.
People who fell were trampled in the stampede, which consequently left at least 17 people dead and 25 worshippers injured.
West Bengal’s chief minister Suvendhu Adhikari confirmed a seven-year-old girl was among the people who died in the stampede.
He also confirmed that 25 victims were receiving medical care for injuries sustained.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued condolences and offered cash gifts to the injured and bereaved families.
“Condolences to the bereaved families. Wishing the injured a speedy recovery. The West Bengal government is providing all possible help to the affected families,” Mr Modi wrote on X.
The next of kin of the dead were offered 200,000 rupees, about $2,106 or N3 million, while those who sustained injuries would each receive 50,000 rupees, $527 or N750,000 each.
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