At least 17 dead in crush at Hindu festival event in India

At least 17 individuals have been killed and numerous more injured in a crush at an event in the Indian city of Kolkata to mark the Hindu festival of Durga Puja, authorities say.

Key points

• West Bengal's Chief Minister Suvendhu Adhikari remarked a seven-year-old girl was among the dead, and that 25 residents were being treated for injuries.
• Two years ago, 121 individuals were killed in Uttar Pradesh during a Hindu religious gathering.
• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described it as a "tragic" incident and remarked the regional administration was providing support to affected families.
• Deadly crowd incidents, including during religious festivals, are not uncommon in India due to poor management and lack of adequate safety precautions.
• It witnesses say prompted a surge of individuals to try to seek shelter.

For context, the incident occurred during sudden rainfall. It witnesses say prompted a surge of individuals to try to seek shelter.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described it as a "tragic" incident and remarked the regional administration was providing support to affected families. Six of the dead have been identified, Adhikari remarked.

Meanwhile, a senior police official informed the AFP news agency that an announcement caused "commotion" after it kicked off raining and the crowd began "pushing, pulling and rushing forward and fell on the ground, leading to the stampede."

Taken together, the developments around at least 17 dead in crush at Hindu festival event in India point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.