Kolkata, Oct 19: Authorities have identified all 19 people who died in the stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, West Bengal, while more than half of the post-mortem examinations have been completed, officials said on Sunday.
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The tragic incident occurred at around 7.40 pm on Saturday, October 17, triggering an emergency response and prompting authorities to launch an investigation into the circumstances that led to the deadly crowd crush.
According to information shared by officials, the deceased include 13 women and four minors. Two of the victims were reportedly from Muzaffarpur in Bihar, while the remaining victims were from West Bengal.
Bodies Being Handed Over to Families
West Bengal Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee visited the Kolkata Police morgue on Sunday to pay tribute to the victims and review arrangements for identification and post-mortem examinations.
The minister said the identification process had been completed for all 19 victims and that more than 50 per cent of the post-mortem examinations had been conducted. The bodies are being handed over to their respective families in phases after the completion of the necessary formalities.
Officials are coordinating the procedures to ensure that the deceased can be taken home by their relatives.
Durga Puja Pandal Closed After Tragedy
In the aftermath of the stampede, the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal has been closed to the public, with restrictions imposed on visitors seeking darshan. The decision comes as authorities continue to investigate the incident and examine the circumstances surrounding the crowd surge.
The minister in charge of the state's fire and emergency services department also visited the pandal premises as part of the official response.
18 Arrested as Probe Continues
Police have reportedly arrested 18 people in connection with the incident, including the president and secretary of the puja organising committee. The arrests form part of the ongoing investigation into the tragedy.
Investigators are working to establish what led to the stampede and determine whether any lapses in crowd management or safety arrangements contributed to the loss of lives. The findings of the probe are expected to clarify the sequence of events and establish responsibility.
Authorities have yet to announce the final conclusions of the investigation.
Focus on Victims and Crowd Safety
The tragedy has renewed concerns over crowd management at major religious gatherings, particularly during Durga Puja, when large numbers of devotees visit pandals across Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal.
With all 19 victims identified, the immediate priority remains completing the post-mortem procedures and returning the bodies to grieving families. Meanwhile, the investigation continues, with officials expected to determine the circumstances that turned a festive gathering into a deadly incident.
