19 Dead Trample at India's Hindu Welfare Show

19 people were killed and 25 other injuries were trampled on a Hindu religious event in the east of India on Saturday (17 / 10) local time.

A high-ranking official at West Bengal Suvendhu Adhikari, told reporters that among the deceased there was a seven-year-old girl, quoted from AFP.

He added that 25 others were injured by "stomping" outside a pavilion in the Hindu Durga Puja festival in Kolkata city.

The crowd of the religious congregation crammed outside the pavilion became uncontrollable after heavy rain.

"So far, six bodies have been identified," said Adhikari.

Initially, Adhikari mentioned 17 fatalities. Press Trust of India (PTI) has reported that the death toll has increased by two to 19 people, citing further statements from Adhikari.

The nine bodies have been handed over to the family, thus reports from the PTI.

A senior police officer at the scene told the AFP that an announcement triggered "noise" as it rained at night.

"A crowd of people waiting outside the pandal (pavilion) pushed each other, pulled up, pulled up, pulled up on the ground, which led to the events of the police," said the police.

After the incident, the medical examiner was seen carrying injured men, including a police officer, using a stretcher to the local hospital. Some of the victims' relatives seemed to cry and hug each other while mourning the loss of their loved ones.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi immediately restores the tragedy through a brief statement on Facebook.

"One step at a time in Kolkata is pathetic. My condolences tell the family I left behind. Hopefully the injured will soon recover," write Modi on Facebook account.

"Western Bengal government is giving all possible aid to impacted families."

It's been reported that police have secured surveillance footage from the festival's location. Authorities will take action against those who are seen on the tape as they are heedless to carry out the responsibility of control.

According to the Indian Express report, a number of videos recorded before the onslaught occurred showing a massive crowd of people waiting to enter the pavilion. The area has a narrow path that only allows a few people to cross simultaneously.

A mass-involved incident that caused multiple fatalities in India's mass events, such as religious festivals, caused by bad management and weakness of the safety aspect.

Last year, the onslaught incident at the Kumbh Mela religious festival in India killed 30 people and injured many others. In Bengaluru, 11 supporters died trampling during the victory celebration of the local cricket team in the Premier League.

In the same year, 36 people died in a series of forced incidents in a political campaign attended by a famous actor who turned into a politician in the state of Tamil Nadu, southern India.

In 2024, 121 people died in a Hindu religious gathering in the state of Uttar Pradesh, northern India.