A tragic stampede occurred during the annual Lairai Devi Zatra festival at the Sree Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao village, Goa, resulting in at least six fatalities and over 80 injuries .
What Happened
The incident took place in the early hours of Saturday as tens of thousands of devotees gathered for the fire-walking ritual, a central event of the festival. According to police reports, the stampede was triggered when people standing on a sloped area near the temple fell, causing others to tumble over them .
Some accounts suggest that a devotee accidentally touched an electric bulb with a cane stick, received a shock, and collapsed, leading to panic and a sudden rush in the densely packed crowd
Casualties and Response
Among the deceased are Surya Mayekar, Pratibha Kalangutkar, Yeshwant Kerkar, Sagar Nandarge, and Aditya and Tanuja Kauthankar . Health Minister Vishwajit Rane reported that approximately 80 people were injured, with five in critical condition and on ventilator support .
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the injured and assured all possible support to the affected families. He has ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident . Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and confirmed that local authorities are aiding those affected .
Government Measures
In response to the tragedy, the Government of Goa has directed that all government-supported festive events and public celebrations scheduled over the next three days be cancelled or postponed as a mark of respect to the victims .
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the stampede and to implement measures to prevent such incidents in the future.