At least 19 people were killed and 25 others severely injured when a Durga Puja pavilion (pandal) collapsed in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, India. The injured have been admitted to local hospitals.

The disaster occurred on Saturday (October 17) night during Mahasaptami celebrations at the Chorbagan Sarbojonin Durgotsav pandal in Kolkata, BBC reported.

According to reports, sudden heavy rainfall began late Saturday night, prompting a large crowd of visitors to force their way into the pandal for shelter.

The space became dangerously overcrowded, leading to intense pushing and shoving. Under the excessive weight and pressure, a section of the structure suddenly collapsed, trapping visitors underneath the debris.

Civic volunteers and police personnel stationed for venue security launched immediate rescue efforts, extracting victims and rushing them to local medical colleges.

Hospital sources confirmed 19 fatalities, including 13 women, three men, and one child. At least 20 injured individuals remain hospitalized, with several in critical condition transferred to Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial (SSKM) Hospital for advanced care.

Dr. Tamal Bhattacharya, a physician involved in the emergency rescue efforts, stated, "I personally examined four of the victims brought here. One has been placed on mechanical ventilation. In my assessment, two others have already succumbed to their injuries. We are doing everything possible to save as many lives as we can."

Following the tragedy, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Health Minister Dr. Sharadwat Mukherjee, and Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nanda visited the scene to assess the situation.

The state government has set up a dedicated emergency helpline to assist anxious family members. The Puja pandal has been temporarily closed to visitors.
Source: BBC, Anandabazar