Goa Temple Stampede News: At least six people died and 30 others were injured early Saturday when a stampede broke out during an annual temple festival in Goa.
The stampede occurred around 3 am at the Shri Lairai Devi temple in Bicholim, where thousands of devotees had gathered for the temple’s annual jatra, which began on Friday. Among the injured, at least 10 people remain in critical condition and are under observation at Goa Medical College, authorities said.
“The circumstances are not yet clear, but it appears that one person fell on a steep slope near the approach road of the temple, which then led to a stampede,” a senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity. The narrow stretch, crowded with worshippers, quickly became the site of chaos as people tried to escape the surge.
The injured have been admitted to the North Goa district hospital in Mapusa, Goa Medical College, and a primary health centre in Bicholim, the police said.
Goa’s chief minister, Pramod Sawant, visited the North Goa district hospital and Bicholim Primary Health Centre to take stock of the situation. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Sawant expressed his condolences. “Deeply saddened by the tragic stampede at the Lairai Zatra in Shirgaon this morning. I visited the hospital to meet the injured and have assured all possible support to the affected families. I am personally monitoring the situation to ensure that every necessary measure is being taken,” he wrote.
Devotees at the Shri Lairai Devi temple in Bicholim.
He added that a probe had been ordered to determine the cause of the incident.
Reacting to the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while expressing his condolences said via a post on X: “Saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede in Shirgao, Goa. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected.”
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The festival had drawn a heavy security presence, with more than 1,000 police officers deployed to manage crowd control, ensure the safe passage of devotees, and oversee the event’s conduct. The forces included personnel from North Goa district police, the India Reserve Battalion, and the Goa Reserve Police force.
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said additional doctors have been roped in and a dedicated intensive care unit has been set up to care for the injured.
Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, too, condoled the deaths. “The news of the death of several devotees and injury of many others in a stampede during the annual pilgrimage to the Lerai Devi Temple in Shirgaon, Goa is very sad. I express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families. Also, I hope for the speedy recovery of all the injured,” he wrote on X.
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