KOLKATA: Broken ribs piercing lungs, crushed chests, fractured limbs and bleeding in the brain — the preliminary postmortem reports of the 19 victims of the Chorbagan Durga Puja stampede have laid bare the horrific force of the crowd crush that turned a night of festivities into a tragedy on Saptami.At least six victims suffered rib fractures so severe that broken bone fragments pierced their lungs, according to the preliminary reports. At least seven died of asphyxiation, while others suffered fractures to their hands and legs, head injuries and intracranial haemorrhage and cardiac arrest, the preliminary post mortem findings revealed.The tragedy at the Chorbagan puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday night claimed 19 lives, including 13 women and six minors. The youngest victim was seven-year-old Aayansh Srivastava, who had come from Bihar with his family.The deceased came from across Kolkata and its neighbouring districts, as well as other parts of Bengal. Among them were 14-year-old Sandip Bej from Purba Bardhaman, 13-year-old Pranjal Sarkar from Agarpara, and teenagers Priya Samaddar (18) from New Barrackpore, Akriti Kumari (17) from Bally, and Barnali Haldar (17)and Tania Biswas (18) from New Town.The preliminary findings have underscored the severity of the crush, with victims sustaining multiple traumatic injuries as the crowd surged at the pandal’s exit during the evening rain. Twenty-five people were injured in the incident, one of whom remains in critical condition.Meanwhile, hospitals have begun discharging survivors in phases. Fourteen injured people were shifted to a private hospital off EM Bypass after initially being treated at Medical College and Hospital and RG Kar Medical college and hospital.Nine patients were scheduled to be discharged late on Monday, while two more are expected to leave on Tuesday. Three patients being treated in ITU, ICU and SICU units will remain under observation, with their discharge likely on Wednesday or Thursday, hospital sources said.
