‘Pandal will collapse’: Warning captured on video may have triggered Kolkata stampede that killed 19

A microphone announcement warning that a Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata could collapse may have triggered panic among visitors and contributed to a stampede that killed 19 people and injured 25 on Saturday evening, police said on Sunday. The announcement, captured in a video being examined by investigators, warned visitors to leave the Chorbagan pandal.

“The condition of the pandal is very bad. It will collapse. Please leave.”

Also read: Kolkata stampede: 7 arrested, including Chorbagan Durga Puja organisers; police register culpable homicide case


ET Online was not able to independently verify the authenticity of this video.

Kolkata Police are examining the footage to establish who made the announcement and what prompted the warning. Investigators are also trying to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the deadly crush during Saptami celebrations, as preliminary findings point to poor crowd management, confusing announcements and a sudden influx of visitors seeking shelter from a downpour.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari blamed the alleged callousness of the organisers and said the incident would be investigated. He also suggested that the announcement made by the puja committee over the microphone may have triggered the rush.

What the warning was, and why police are examining it

The announcement warning of a possible pandal collapse is among the key pieces of evidence being examined by police. Investigators are attempting to identify the person who made it and determine whether the warning prompted visitors to rush towards the exit.

A senior police officer said preliminary findings pointed to serious lapses in the arrangements made to handle the crowd.

“We have gathered sufficient evidence pointing to gross mismanagement by the puja organisers. There was no clear plan to manage the large number of visitors, and everything was handled verbally,” the officer said.

Police have collected CCTV footage and recorded statements from local residents and eyewitnesses. Investigators are also examining whether inadequate deployment of police personnel and private security guards contributed to the tragedy.

The circumstances surrounding the announcement, including what prompted it and how visitors responded, remain under investigation. Police are expected to question survivors to cross-check eyewitness accounts and piece together the events leading up to the stampede.

Narrow entrance, sudden rush and confusing announcements

According to police, the pandal's gates and approach road were narrow, potentially making it difficult for visitors to move freely once panic spread. As people attempted to escape through the entrance, the rush contributed to the crush, investigators said.

The situation was further complicated by inadequate announcements about entry, exit and crowd movement, police said. Confusion among visitors, coupled with the sudden arrival of people seeking shelter from the rain, may have worsened the congestion.

Investigators are looking into how the crowd was managed before and during the incident, including the arrangements for controlling entry and directing visitors towards exits.

A forensic team visited the site on Saturday night to collect evidence. Another team is expected to conduct further examinations as the investigation progresses.

Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita on roads adjoining the pandal until October 20.

Also read: Kolkata pandal stampede reason: How heavy rain, crowd surge and exit-route confusion led to deadly chaos

Compensation announced, injured visitors under treatment

The state government has announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh and a Group D government job for the family of each person killed in the stampede. It has also constituted a panel to review safety protocols at major Durga Puja pandals and recommend immediate corrective measures wherever shortcomings are identified.

The panel's review comes as investigators examine the crowd-management arrangements at Chorbagan and the role that the announcement may have played in triggering panic.

Of the 25 people injured in the incident, 14 were receiving treatment at a private hospital on Sunday, with three in the intensive care unit, West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission chairman Biswajit Basu said.

One of the ICU patients was in critical condition, while the other two were showing signs of improvement, Basu said.

The police investigation is continuing, with CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts and forensic evidence expected to help establish how the stampede unfolded and whether lapses in crowd management or the announcement warning of a possible collapse played a decisive role.

(With inputs from agencies)