At least 17 reported dead in Indian festival crush on Oct 17
India announces compensation after a Kolkata festival crush, with local television reporting heavy rain led to overcrowding at the exit.
At least 17 people were killed and dozens injured in a crowd crush during Durga Puja celebrations in Kolkata, eastern India, on Saturday (October 17, 2026), according to local media.
Rain linked to overcrowding at Kolkata venue
Heavy rain prompted large crowds of devotees to leave the venue in Kolkata’s Girish Park area, resulting in overcrowding at the exit gate where the crush occurred, local television reported.
The annual Hindu festival of Durga Puja lasts several days in West Bengal and draws large crowds to temporary structures known as pandals, which house idols of the goddess Durga.
India announces payments for Kolkata victims
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office announced on X that the next of kin of each person killed in the Kolkata crush would receive 200,000 rupees (US$2,106.15), while each injured person would receive 50,000 rupees.
