A stampede after sudden rainfall at a religious festival in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata killed at least 17 people and injured dozens, newswires reported citing local media on Saturday.
Durga Puja, a multi-day annual Hindu festival in the state of West Bengal, draws huge crowds to temporary structures known as pandals that house idols of the goddess Durga.
The incident occurred at the exit gate in Kolkata’s Girish Park area after heavy rain led to overcrowding as large numbers of devotees attempted to leave the venue, local TV said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office, in a post on social media platform X, announced a compensation payment of Rs200,000 (S$2,701) for the next of kin of those who died and Rs50,000 each for the injured.
West Bengal’s Chief Minister Suvendhu Adhikari told reporters the fatalities included a seven-year-old girl, adding that 25 others were injured. AGENCIES
