LUCKNOW, Oct. 18 -- A day after a stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata claimed at least 19 lives, fire and police teams in Lucknow inspected puja pandals on Sunday to review safety arrangements and caution organisers against hazards during crowded gatherings.

The Kolkata incident, which occurred amid heavy crowds and rainfall at a pandal in the Chorbagan area on Saturday evening, brought crowd management and safe exits into focus.

The Uttar Pradesh fire and emergency services department conducted inspections under the directions of the additional director general of police (fire and emergency services) and the Lucknow chief fire officer (CFO).

Local police teams also inspected pandals, focusing on safety arrangements for visitors...