Kolkata/IBNS, Oct. 17 -- At least 18 people died, and several others were seriously injured in a stampede incident at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata's Chorbagan on Saturday evening, sources at the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital said.

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

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...