Religious gathering stampede in eastern India kills at least 19

A crowd crush has cast a shadow over celebrations of a prominent Hindu festival in eastern India.

At least 19 people were killed, mostly women and children. 25 others injured are receiving treatment in different hospitals, with one in a critical condition.

The tragedy unfolded Saturday night at the temporary pavilions, locally known as pandals, that are set up for the multi-day Durga Puja festival in north Kolkata, capital of the Indian state of West Bengal.

Local TV reports heavy rains triggered panic among thousands of assembled devotees at a park's exit gate in Chorbagan Sarbojanin neighbourhood.

As worshippers surged to seek shelter, they started pushing, pulling, rushing and falling on each other, leading to the stampede.

Eyewitnesses say the crowd was so excessive that some were unable to get out, recalling those who lost consciousness and sustained chest and leg wounds were rushed to hospitals.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who visited the injured, attributes it partly to the cramped interior of the passage and gloomy lighting. He announces that a special investigation team will be headed by a judge of the state's High Court to look into the incident.

Media reports indicate over 10 people, including the pavilion organisers and private security personnel present when the mishap happened, were detained by police for questioning.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi describes the stampede as extremely saddening and has directed to offer compensation of 200,000 rupees, or about 2,106 US dollars, for the families of each deceased victim.