NEW DELHI: At least 35 people were injured and 10 were feared dead after a stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday, with heavy rain and a rush of visitors triggering chaos near the exit gate. Prime minister Modi, home minister Amit Shah and former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock and grief over the incident.The incident took place at around 7.40 pm at the Sarada Park (Chorbagan) Durga Puja pandal, where a surge of visitors near the exit gate reportedly triggered panic as rain continued to fall.According to a senior police officer who spoke to PTI, people waiting outside the pandal rushed forward amid the rain, causing some to fall on the road. At least 35 people were taken to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital (MCH), while at least 25 were reported to be in serious condition, the officer said.Kolkata Police said all the injured had been rescued and taken to the hospital. Reinforcements, fire brigade personnel, disaster management teams, ambulances and medical staff were sent to the spot. The pandal was subsequently closed to visitors.“Details are awaited,” police said in a statement, adding that a helpline had been set up at the Lalbazar Control Room.Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply distressed by the stampede in Kolkata, in a post on X, the Prime minister’s office wrote, “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. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected”Home minister Amit Shah also wrote in a ‘X’ post, “I have just received the extremely distressing news of multiple casualties after the stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal. I have spoken with chief minister Suvendu Adhikari about this matter. I pray for the peace of the souls of those who have lost their lives in this tragic accident and extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family members. The administration is making arrangements for the best possible medical treatment for the injured”.Shah also said he would cancel all his scheduled programmes in West Bengal on Sunday to visit the injured in hospital.In a post on X, All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) supremo Mamata Banerjee said, “Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the stampede at the Chore Bagan Puja Pandal. I pray to Maa Durga for the speedy recovery of all those injured and for strength and courage for their families during this difficult time.”
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Governor RN Ravi also expressed his grief in a statement issued by Lok Bhavan. “I am deeply heartbroken by the tragic stampede incident at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, resulting in the loss of many precious lives. In this hour of grief, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured.”Chief hinister Suvendu Adhikari and chief secretary Manoj Agarwal visited the hospital, while health minister Saradwat Mukherjee and other senior officials also reached the hospital to check on the injured.The cause of the incident and the circumstances surrounding the reported casualties were yet to be officially established.