The stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin pandal claimed 19 lives and left at least 25 others injured on Maha Saptami. Sudden rain drove crowds toward shelter, while a false public address announcement claiming the structure was collapsing triggered widespread panic. Lasting roughly three minutes, the crush was exacerbated by narrow access points and inadequate crowd management. Similar tragedies have occurred at events such as the Maha Kumbh and in Karur due to exceeding venue capacities.
Key points
Misleading announcements and minor disruptions can rapidly trigger fatal surges in severe…: Misleading announcements and minor disruptions can rapidly trigger fatal surges in severely overcrowded gathering spaces.
Structural issues such as narrow entry points and slippery surfaces prevent safe egress d…: Structural issues such as narrow entry points and slippery surfaces prevent safe egress during sudden venue evacuations.
Crowd dynamics modeled by the NDMA show that individuals conform to collective panic when…: Crowd dynamics modeled by the NDMA show that individuals conform to collective panic when physical movement becomes restricted.
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Stampede at Kolkata pandal during Durga Puja claimed 19 lives.
NEW DELHI: It begins with a rumour, feeds on panic and ends in tragedy. A stampede can turn a celebration into chaos within minutes, leaving thousands gathered in joy struggling to find a way out. In a tightly packed crowd, even a small disturbance can have deadly consequences.A similar script played out in Kolkata on October 17. On the night of Maha Saptami during Durga Puja, pandal-hoppers gathered in large numbers at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin pandal. The crowd swelled further after a sudden spell of rain prompted people waiting outside to seek shelter, while visitors near the exit stopped moving.An announcement over the public address system warning that the pandal was about to collapse added to the panic. Investigators believe several factors contributed to the stampede, including overcrowding, narrow entry and exit points, inadequate crowd management and the misleading announcement.
The crowd crush, which police said lasted around three minutes, claimed 19 lives and left at least 25 people injured.India is a country of festivals, and its massive religious gatherings…
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