Relatives of Kachua stampede victims count anxious hours at National Medical

Kolkata: Anxious relatives of the victims of Kachua stampede waited and hoped for the recovery of their loved ones who are undergoing treatment at the Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital (CNMCH).

Two persons were declared brought dead, two were released after getting first aid and three are undergoing treatment at the hospital, following the stampede at a temple in Kachua in North 24-Parganas, early on Friday.

"Seven persons were brought to the hospital at 4 am. Two persons died while two were released after giving first aid and three are undergoing treatment," said Dr Bimal Bandhu Saha, deputy superintendent of CNMCH.

On the occasion of Janmashtami, a large crowd had gathered at the Kachua Loknath temple late on Thursday night. Due to heavy rain, the crowd took shelter at makeshift bamboo stalls on the approach road to the temple at 2.30 am. However, the shelters collapsed due to rain and within a few minutes, a stampede-like situation was created.

Immediately, rescue operations were carried out on the spot. The injured were shifted to Barasat Hospital, RG Kar Medical College and a hospital at Basirhat.

Aparna Sarkar and Tapan Mondal were declared brought dead at CNMCH. Tapan was brought to Basirhat Hospital directly from the place of the incident and then referred to CNMCH.

"We didn't have any idea what had happened to my sister. We received a call today at 7 am. When we reached CNMCH we found her dead," said Chandana Mondal, sister of Aparna Sarkar.

According to hospital authorities, the death toll could rise as some of the injured are in a critical condition.

"My daughter Varsha Biswas went to the temple to celebrate janmashtami. At around 2.30 am, we got the information that a wall had collapsed. She was first admitted to a hospital at Basirhat and then referred to CNMCH. She is now undergoing treatment here," said Barun Biswas, a resident of Basirhat.

Every year, lakhs of people throng the Kachua Loknath temple to celebrate the birth anniversary of Lokenath Brahmachari.