New Delhi, Oct. 18 -- At least 19 people have reportedly died in a stampede at Kolkata's Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal. The incident happened on Saptami evening. Heavy rain and growing crowds were reported before the tragedy.

Police said the incident happened around 7:40 PM near the pandal's exit gate. The Sarada Park pandal falls under the jurisdiction of the Girish Park Police Station. Police closed the pandal to visitors after the incident. They said injured people were rescued and taken to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital.

The exact cause still remains unclear, and authorities have promised an inquiry. According to eyewitnesses, heavy rain started across North and Central Kolkata that evening.

Roads soon faced severe traffic jam...