At least 19 people have died and around 20 are injured following a stampede during the Hindu festival of Durga Puja in Kolkata, India. The incident occurred at a pandal, a temporary structure erected for the festival. Local authorities have closed the specific pandal where the tragedy unfolded and are proactively restricting access to other similar venues as a precautionary measure. The cause of the panic is currently under investigation, with officials working to determine what triggered the surge in the crowd. This incident has cast a shadow over the ongoing Durga Puja celebrations, a major cultural event in West Bengal. Emergency services responded to the scene, providing medical assistance to the injured. Authorities are focused on preventing further incidents during the remainder of the festival period.