India: 17 Killed, 25 Injured in Stampede at Hindu Religious Festival

India: 17 Killed, 25 Injured in Stampede at Hindu Religious Festival
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At least 17 people were killed and 25 others injured in a stampede during the Durga Puja festival in West Bengal, eastern India, amid heavy crowds and torrential rain.

The incident occurred on Saturday evening north of Kolkata, as thousands gathered for the Hindu religious celebration. Police said the combination of overcrowding and adverse weather contributed to the tragedy. West Bengal’s chief minister confirmed that a seven-year-old girl was among those killed.

Emergency teams transported the injured to hospitals for treatment. The incident has renewed concerns over crowd management and public safety at large religious gatherings across India.