Police have registered a suo motu case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder in connection with the tragedy, which unfolded around 7.40 pm amid heavy rain and a large gathering of visitors on Saptami.
Twelve people, including organisers, were initially detained for questioning, according to reports. The pandal has since been closed to visitors as authorities investigate the circumstances that led to the disaster.
The arrests mark a significant step in the investigation into one of the most devastating incidents of this year's Durga Puja celebrations in Kolkata. Police are examining whether inadequate crowd-control measures and difficulties in regulating the movement of visitors contributed to the loss of lives.
Remains of the night. Photo: IBNS
Rain, overcrowding and narrow exits
Eyewitness accounts point to a dangerous combination of heavy rainfall, a surge in visitors and restricted movement around the pandal.
According to witnesses cited by several media reports, a sudden downpour prompted people outside to seek shelter inside the already crowded pandal, while those within were reluctant to leave in the rain. The resulting pressure at the entrance and exit reportedly intensified as more people attempted to move through the congested area.
Sonu Pal, a 25-year-old visitor who lost his mother in the incident, told mediapersons that people standing outside kept pushing to enter as the rain continued. He described the pressure becoming unbearable, with people falling on top of one another.
"My mother died before my eyes; I too might not have survived," he told Times of India.
Other witnesses raised concerns about the narrow entry and exit gates and inadequate lighting in the surrounding area. One local resident told IANS that a queue had stretched for around an hour and a half and that people began falling in the darkness.
Several visitors reportedly lost consciousness in the crush, while some injured people were taken away on motorcycles before emergency services reached them.
A section of the pandal was also reported to have collapsed amid the chaos. The precise sequence of events, including the role of the structural collapse and the effectiveness of crowd-control arrangements, remains subject to investigation.
Organisers resign, investigation ordered
Jayanta Banerjee, general secretary of the Chorbagan Durga Puja Committee, reportedly resigned following the tragedy, with other office-bearers also confirming their resignations, according to India Today.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the hospital with senior officials to take stock of the situation. The state government has announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh and government jobs for the families of those who died. It has also said that an investigation under a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court would be pursued, with the involvement of investigative agencies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased person and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
The state government has also activated a toll-free helpline, 1800 345 5678, for people seeking assistance following the tragedy.
In Images: Trail Of Grief As Kolkata'S Chorbagan Durga Puja Tragedy Claims 18 Lives
Festive celebrations overshadowed by tragedy
The disaster has raised renewed questions about public safety at major Durga Puja gatherings, where temporary structures, narrow neighbourhood lanes and surging crowds can pose significant risks, particularly during adverse weather.
Authorities are expected to examine the arrangements made for entry and exit, the deployment of police personnel and volunteers, emergency access and the response to the sudden increase in crowd pressure.
For families who arrived to celebrate the festival, the evening ended in devastating loss. As investigators work to establish responsibility, the central question remains whether adequate precautions could have prevented the tragedy.