Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:48pm on 18 Oct 2026,Sunday India
A stampede at Kolkata’s Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal on Saturday evening, October 17, killed at least 19 people and injured several others. Kolkata Police suspect that a microphone announcement warning that the pandal might collapse triggered panic among visitors. Heavy rain, overcrowding, narrow entry and exit routes, and inadequate security may have worsened the situation. Investigators are examining CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts and the deployment of police personnel, including allegations of insufficient staffing. Authorities are investigating possible lapses by organisers and security agencies. The exact sequence of events remains under investigation. (PC: AP)
