A stampede at a Hindu religious gathering in Kolkata, India, leaves at least 17 people dead and several others injured, according to multiple reports. The incident occurs during Durga Puja celebrations in the city’s north area, where large crowds are present.
Authorities cited heavy crowd pressure and sudden rainfall as contributing factors. Al Jazeera and BBC News report that police say the crush happens amid big crowds and rain. Dawn and other outlets quote West Bengal’s Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who says 17 people are killed, including a seven-year-old girl, and that around 25 others are injured. A senior police official tells AFP the commotion begins after an announcement when it starts raining, with people pushing forward and falling.
Several sources also place the incident in context of recurring deadly crowd disasters at major Indian mass events, including past stampedes at religious and large public gatherings, often linked to crowd management and safety shortcomings.
