NEW DELHI: Twenty-five-year-old Sonu Pal managed to escape the crush of bodies at a north Kolkata Durga Puja pandal on Saturday evening, but when he made his way back to his mother, it was too late. She had died in the stampede, which claimed 19 lives and left 24 people injured at the Chorbagan pandal.

“My mother died before my eyes; I too might not have survived,” Pal told PTI, recounting how a sudden downpour and a surging crowd turned the festive gathering into a scene of horror.

Pal, a resident of Kumortuli, had gone to the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal with his mother when a sudden downpour triggered a rush of people at the entrance. His mother was among those killed in the incident, which also left 24 people injured.

“It was raining outside, and nobody wanted to step outside. People who were standing at the entrance to escape the rain kept pushing to get in,” Pal told PTI.

As the crowd swelled, the pressure became unbearable, leaving people struggling to remain on their feet.

“Unable to handle the pressure, everybody inside fell on one another,” he recounted.

Pal said he was also caught in the crush but managed to regain his footing and reach his mother. However, he found her dead.

The stampede occurred around 7.40 pm in the Girish Park police station area on Maha Saptami, after rain prompted people gathered outside the pandal to push forward. A senior police officer told PTI that some people fell on the road, triggering the chaos.

Police detained 12 people, including some organisers of the Chorbagan Durga Puja, on Saturday night in connection with the incident. An officer told PTI that they were being questioned to establish what led to the stampede.

“If any lapses are found, we will act as per the law,” the officer said.

West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that a special investigation team (SIT), headed by a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court, would investigate the incident. The team will include members from the Special Task Force (STF), Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and other departments.

Kolkata Police's Anti-Rowdy Section has collected CCTV footage from the site. Adhikari said action would be taken against anyone found responsible for failing to manage the crowd, including puja committee members, security personnel and police officers.

Disaster management personnel have been deployed at the site, the officer added.

An eyewitness told news agency ANI, "Many people lost consciousness; some were being taken on motorcycles. I witnessed this happening all around—when people fainted, they were taken away on bikes. All of this took place, and there was a massive crowd as well."

Governor Ravi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata and offered condolences to the bereaved families. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.

Adhikari and chief secretary Manoj Agarwal visit the hospitalised injured at Calcutta Medical College and Hospital.

West Bengal health minister Sharadwat Mukherjee visits injured people admitted to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital following a stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal.

Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she was deeply shocked about the stampede 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.

TMC leader Kunal Ghosh told news agency PTI, "At the Chorbagan puja in North Kolkata, there has been a most unfortunate incident. The devotees who were there, some are now being brought to the Medical College. Our clear stand is that why it happened and how it happened will be known later, but first we need to save the people. And those who are seriously injured need treatment. Right now, we have a request to the police administration, and our workers are cooperating. Doctors and related staff at the Medical College should be increased immediately, quickly."

Police, fire brigade personnel, disaster management teams and medical teams were deployed at the site, with ambulances also rushed to the spot. The pandal has been closed to visitors.

Police have set up helplines at the Lalbazar Control Room to assist people in connection with the incident. The numbers are 18003455678 and 03322141310.