PM Modi says Kolkata stampede extremely distressing, announces ex gratia

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the stampede in Kolkata is extremely distressing and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

At least 10 people are feared dead in a stampede following a crowd surge at a community Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening.

"The stampede in Kolkata is extremely distressing. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest," Modi said in a post on X.


The prime minister said the local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected.

Modi announced that an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh will be given from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund to the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives and Rs 50,000 to each injured person.