India, Oct. 29 -- Women revellers congested the exit gate of a north Kolkata Durga Puja pandal to protect their attire from rain, triggering jostling as the crowd swelled and a stampede that killed 19 people, a city police officer said, citing preliminary findings.

The Kolkata Police's probe into the stampede is focused on possible lapses in crowd management, shortage of women volunteers and police personnel, and delays in coordination among agencies, an officer has said.

He said the incident occurred around 7.30 pm on October 17 at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal, when sudden rain led to a crowd surge near the exit gate.

"According to preliminary findings, several women had gathered near the gate, with some reluctant to leave the pand...