At least 17 killed in stampede at festival in India's Kolkata

STRINGER / AFP

At least 17 people have been killed and several others injured in a stampede at a religious festival in north Kolkata in India, local media reported on Saturday.

Durga Puja, a multi-day annual Hindu festival in the state of West Bengal, draws huge crowds to temporary structures known as pandals. 

The incident occurred at the exit gate in Kolkata's Girish Park area after heavy rain led to overcrowding as large numbers of devotees attempted to leave the venue, local TV said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office, in a post on social media platform X, announced a compensation payment of 200,000 rupees ($2,106.15) for the next of kin of those who died and 50,000 rupees each for the injured.

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