Kolkata, Oct 18 (PTI) Asphyxia due to intense pressure on the chest was the likely cause of death for most of the 19 victims of a stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, a senior health department official said on Sunday, citing preliminary post-mortem reports.
The reports also noted signs of serious internal injuries in some of the victims, with damage to vital organs such as the lungs, stomach, liver and pancreas, as well as the head.
Some sustained fractures to their arms and legs, along with intracranial haemorrhage and multiple injuries, the official said.
According to him, the preliminary reports have cited “traumatic asphyxia due to chest compression” as the suspected cause of death in most cases.
The condition occurs when excessive pressure on the chest prevents the lungs from expanding normally, resulting in breathing difficulties and, in severe cases, death.
“Seven of the deceased suffered asphyxia along with injuries to multiple organs. In at least six cases, fractured ribs had penetrated the lungs, apparently due to intense compression in the packed crowd,” the official told PTI.
Eighteen post-mortems were conducted at the Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital while another was done at the Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital, he said.
According to the preliminary reports, ruptured internal organs and bleeding, a condition medically described as “visceral rupture and haemorrhage”, led to deaths. PTI SCH NSD
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