A religious gathering in Goa turned tragic late Friday night after a stampede at the Shri Lairai Devi Temple in Shirgao claimed at least six lives and left more than 15 injured. The incident occurred during the Shri Lairai Zatra, one of Goa's most revered and densely attended festivals.
6 dead and more than 15 injured in a stampede that occurred at the Lairai Devi temple in Shrigao, Goa, said North Goa SP Akshat Kaushal to ANI.
Thousands had assembled at the temple for the dhondachi zatra, a traditional ritual in which devotees walk barefoot over burning embers. The precise cause of the stampede remains under investigation. Authorities are yet to release the names of the deceased.
Goa CM Pramod Sawant told ANI, "6 people had died before being shifted to hospital. I went to the community health centre where the bodies of 2 have been kept. The injured are being treated well...I visited the district hospital as well, where 10 people are admitted... the rest are being treated at Goa Medical College...one person is in serious condition among them...PM Modi spoke to me regarding the incident and took stock of the situation and extended all the help from centre"
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to assess the situation. Naik stated that "The PMO is personally monitoring the situation in Goa. The centre has assured all possible help for the state."
The opposition Congress party has expressed condolences and called for medical and financial assistance to be provided to the victims. Amarnath Panjikar, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee in-charge, said the party stands with the affected families and the community. He requested the government to support the Devasthan Committee to ensure safety for the remaining festival days. Panjikar also emphasized the need for better safety measures to prevent future incidents.
The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) has demanded a government inquiry to determine responsibility for the stampede. AITC national spokesman Trajano D'Mello claimed the stampede was due to negligence and called for a commission to investigate. He also urged the government to provide immediate financial assistance to those affected.
State responds to emergency
Emergency services were deployed immediately after the incident. "We dispatched five ambulances through 108 services to the site. Three were stationed at Asilo, and three more kept on standby until the situation stabilised,” said Goa’s Health Minister Vishwajit Rane.
Rane confirmed that four of the dead—two men and two women—were brought dead to hospital. “We are closely monitoring each patient’s condition. Nodal officers from GMC and Asilo have been appointed to oversee the response. Regular updates will be provided,” he added.
The injured were rushed to Goa Medical College (GMC) in Bambolim and the North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa.
Top officials visit victims
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the affected hospitals to take stock of the situation. Earlier in the day, he had also visited the festival site along with his wife Sulakshana Sawant, Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade, and MLAs Premendra Shet and Carlos Ferreira.
The exact crowd dynamics at the time of the stampede are still unclear.
Every year, the Shri Lairai Zatra draws tens of thousands of devotees from across Goa and neighbouring states. This year was no exception.
To manage the turnout, about 1,000 police personnel were deployed. Drones were also placed overhead for crowd monitoring and aerial surveillance. However, in spite of such arrangements, the situation spiralled beyond control, exposing potential gaps in crowd regulation and emergency planning.
The dhondachi zatra is a centrepiece of the celebration. It symbolises devotion through endurance, as barefoot devotees walk across glowing embers in homage to Goddess Lairai, considered a manifestation of Goddess Parvati.
The Shri Lairai Zatra is not just a religious ritual—it is deeply ingrained in the cultural and spiritual fabric of Goa. The temple in Shirgao becomes a focal point of religious intensity every year, with chants, drum beats, ceremonial offerings, and ritual fire-walks marking the days of celebration.
This year’s tragedy, however, casts a long shadow over the sacredness of the event. Families of the victims are left grappling with loss. Many devotees remain in hospitals, recovering from injuries. Authorities have urged calm and assured that a thorough investigation will be carried out.
More details about the cause of the stampede are expected in the coming days.
(With inputs from ANI, TOI)
6 dead and more than 15 injured in a stampede that occurred at the Lairai Devi temple in Shrigao, Goa, said North Goa SP Akshat Kaushal to ANI.
Thousands had assembled at the temple for the dhondachi zatra, a traditional ritual in which devotees walk barefoot over burning embers. The precise cause of the stampede remains under investigation. Authorities are yet to release the names of the deceased.
Goa CM Pramod Sawant told ANI, "6 people had died before being shifted to hospital. I went to the community health centre where the bodies of 2 have been kept. The injured are being treated well...I visited the district hospital as well, where 10 people are admitted... the rest are being treated at Goa Medical College...one person is in serious condition among them...PM Modi spoke to me regarding the incident and took stock of the situation and extended all the help from centre"
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to assess the situation. Naik stated that "The PMO is personally monitoring the situation in Goa. The centre has assured all possible help for the state."
The opposition Congress party has expressed condolences and called for medical and financial assistance to be provided to the victims. Amarnath Panjikar, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee in-charge, said the party stands with the affected families and the community. He requested the government to support the Devasthan Committee to ensure safety for the remaining festival days. Panjikar also emphasized the need for better safety measures to prevent future incidents.
The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) has demanded a government inquiry to determine responsibility for the stampede. AITC national spokesman Trajano D'Mello claimed the stampede was due to negligence and called for a commission to investigate. He also urged the government to provide immediate financial assistance to those affected.
State responds to emergency
Emergency services were deployed immediately after the incident. "We dispatched five ambulances through 108 services to the site. Three were stationed at Asilo, and three more kept on standby until the situation stabilised,” said Goa’s Health Minister Vishwajit Rane.
Rane confirmed that four of the dead—two men and two women—were brought dead to hospital. “We are closely monitoring each patient’s condition. Nodal officers from GMC and Asilo have been appointed to oversee the response. Regular updates will be provided,” he added.
The injured were rushed to Goa Medical College (GMC) in Bambolim and the North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa.
Top officials visit victims
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the affected hospitals to take stock of the situation. Earlier in the day, he had also visited the festival site along with his wife Sulakshana Sawant, Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade, and MLAs Premendra Shet and Carlos Ferreira.
The exact crowd dynamics at the time of the stampede are still unclear.
Every year, the Shri Lairai Zatra draws tens of thousands of devotees from across Goa and neighbouring states. This year was no exception.
To manage the turnout, about 1,000 police personnel were deployed. Drones were also placed overhead for crowd monitoring and aerial surveillance. However, in spite of such arrangements, the situation spiralled beyond control, exposing potential gaps in crowd regulation and emergency planning.
The dhondachi zatra is a centrepiece of the celebration. It symbolises devotion through endurance, as barefoot devotees walk across glowing embers in homage to Goddess Lairai, considered a manifestation of Goddess Parvati.
The Shri Lairai Zatra is not just a religious ritual—it is deeply ingrained in the cultural and spiritual fabric of Goa. The temple in Shirgao becomes a focal point of religious intensity every year, with chants, drum beats, ceremonial offerings, and ritual fire-walks marking the days of celebration.
This year’s tragedy, however, casts a long shadow over the sacredness of the event. Families of the victims are left grappling with loss. Many devotees remain in hospitals, recovering from injuries. Authorities have urged calm and assured that a thorough investigation will be carried out.
More details about the cause of the stampede are expected in the coming days.
(With inputs from ANI, TOI)
You may also like
All India Bridge C'ship: Mavericks, Formidables, Rampage, Team Monica Jajoo in semis
UP: Registered as living in Farrukhabad, 5 Pak nationals 'untraceable' for decades
Patent officers association moves SC for probe into Intellectual Property data leak
Charles Leclerc risks missing Miami GP sprint after disastrous crash before race
Martin Lewis urges everyone with a mobile phone to dial 5-digit code
