The accident occurred as large numbers of devotees gathered at the pandal to celebrate Durga Puja on Maha Saptami evening.

Injured rushed to hospital

Following the incident, those injured were evacuated from the site and taken to Calcutta Medical College Hospital, where at least 18 of them were declared dead.

Sources in the hospital said several of the injured were in critical condition.

At first, locals started rescue operations, and later police personnel and disaster management officials rushed to the scene and joined the rescue efforts.

A senior doctor at the hospital said the death toll could mount as many of the injured were in critical condition.

Pandal closed

Following the incident, police have closed spectators' entry to the pandal indefinitely, while senior officials of the city police have reached the scene for investigation.

Chief Minister visits hospital

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendy Adhikari visited the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital to meet the injured and to take stock of the situation.

According to sources, he held talks with doctors and asked them to continue treatment of the injured smoothly.

Mamata Banerjee expresses shock

Former Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock and sadness over the incident at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal.She prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured and wished their families strength and courage as they dealt with the situation.

"Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the stampede at the Chore Bagan Puja Pandal," Banerjee wrote on her Facebook page. "I pray to Maa Durga for the speedy recovery of all those injured and for strength and courage for their families during this difficult time."