Kolkata: Seventeen people died and 25 others were injured in a stampede-like situation at a Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said.
One of the injured was in a critical condition, he said.
"Seventeen people were brought dead to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, while 25 others are injured," Adhikari said.
He said an announcement by the organisers of the community Durga Puja at Chorbagan off Chittaranjan Avenue in north Kolkata led to a rush among the revellers, causing the "painful incident".
As it started raining, the crowd waiting outside the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal rushed forward, and some of them fell on the road, leading to the stampede, a police officer said.
Adhikari and Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal visited the state-run hospital where the injured were taken, he said.
Health Minister Saradwat Mukherjee and senior officials also rushed to the hospital.
Disaster management personnel have been deployed at the site, the officer said.
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was deeply shocked about the stampede-like situation at Chorbagan puja pandal.
"Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the stampede at the Chorbagan puja pandal. I pray to Maa Durga for the speedy recovery of all those injured and for strength and courage for their families during this difficult time," she said.
Postponing his scheduled programmes in Kolkata for Sunday in the wake of a stampede at a Durga Puja pandal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit those injured in the incident.
In a message posted on X, Shah said, "I have just received the extremely distressing news of multiple casualties after the stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal. I have spoken with Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari about this matter."
He prayed for the peace of the departed souls and extended deepest condolences to the bereaved families.
Shah said the administration is making arrangements to ensure best possible medical treatment for the injured.
"I am postponing all my scheduled programs in West Bengal tomorrow to visit the injured in the hospital. I pray to Ma Durga that all the injured individuals recover swiftly," he wrote.
Shah was scheduled to visit Belur Math at 10.45 am on Sunday to witness ritual traditions, and later visit the Deshbandhu Club Durga Puja pandal in Howrah district's Bally. Subsequently, he was to head to north Kolkata's Sovabazar Rajbari to witness its more than 250-year-old Durga Puja and offer prayers.
He was also scheduled to visit the Sreebhumi Durga Puja pandal in eastern Kolkata's Lake Town before leaving for Delhi, sources said.