Kolkata Durga Puja Stampede Kills 19 Amid Heavy Rain And Narrow Gates

A stampede at Kolkata's Chore Bagan Durga Puja pandal left 19 people dead on Saturday evening after continuous rain drove a large crowd into the cramped venue.

Eyewitnesses and police cited narrow entry and exit gates, inadequate crowd management, and a mic announcement warning of a structural collapse as contributing factors.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced a Special Investigation Team headed by a sitting Calcutta High Court judge, while the Opposition alleged ties between the organisers and the ruling party.