At least 17 killed in crowd crush at Durga Puja event in Kolkata
A sudden downpour triggered a crush at an event marking the Hindu festival of Durga Puja in the Indian city of Kolkata, killing at least 17 people. Another 25 are being treated for injuries.
At least 17 people have died and many more have been hurt in a crowd crush at an event marking the Hindu festival of Durga Puja in Kolkata, the capital of India's West Bengal state, officials have said. Deadly crowd incidents at religious festivals are not uncommon in India, where poor management and inadequate safety measures are often blamed.
How it happened
The crush occurred when rain began to fall suddenly. Witnesses say people surged to find shelter. A senior police official told the AFP news agency that an announcement caused commotion once the rain started, after which the crowd began pushing, pulling and rushing forward. Some people fell to the ground, leading to the stampede.
Casualties and response
West Bengal's Chief Minister, Suvendhu Adhikari, said the dead include a seven-year-old girl. Six of the victims have been identified. He added that 25 people are receiving treatment for injuries.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident "tragic" and said the state government was providing assistance to the affected families.
Earlier incidents
Two years ago, 121 people were killed in the state of Uttar Pradesh during a Hindu religious gathering.
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