Goa Temple Stampede: Death Toll Rises to Six as Over 50 Injured
A devastating stampede broke out at a temple in the western Indian state of Goa early on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of at least six people and injuring over 50 others. The incident occurred at the Shri Lairai Devi temple in Goa’s Bicholim, approximately 40km from the state capital Panaji, where thousands of devotees had gathered for the annual Lairai Devi jatra or procession.
According to eyewitnesses, the stampede was triggered by a sudden rush among devotees, leading to panic and chaos. The exact cause of the stampede is still under investigation, but authorities believe that a person may have fallen down and been tripped over, causing a chain reaction of events. Assistant sub-inspector Arun Desai from the Bicholim Police Station told The Hindu, as reported by The Independent, "The incident happened around 3.30am on 3 May. The annual Lairai Jatra was on 2 May, people had started coming since early morning from across Goa and neighbouring States. It was so overwhelming for the police staff to handle the crowd as it increased as the day progressed."
The stampede occurred around 3am, with devotees rushing to get a glimpse of the goddess or participate in the festivities. The police had deployed over 1,000 personnel to ensure crowd control and safe passage for everyone attending the event. However, despite these efforts, the situation spiralled out of control, resulting in one of the deadliest stampedes in recent Indian history.
The injured are being treated at nearby hospitals, with at least 10 reported to be in critical condition. Goa’s chief minister, Pramod Sawant, visited two of the hospitals to assess the situation and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he wrote: "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."
Prime minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences, posting 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." The Independent reported that state health minister Vishwajit Rane said "immediate and comprehensive steps" had been taken to manage the crisis, with emergency services activated swiftly and five ambulances dispatched to the site through coordination with 108, the national emergency ambulance service.
The Lairai Devi jatra is a significant religious festival dedicated to Goddess Lairai, believed to be an incarnation of Parvati and one of seven sister deities in Goan folklore. The festival attracts thousands of devotees from across Goa and neighbouring states, making it a major event in the region. An investigation into the stampede is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the exact cause of the incident and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
As the death toll continues to rise, authorities are facing questions over crowd control and safety measures at the event. With many more people expected to attend the festival in the coming days, there are concerns that similar incidents could occur. The Indian government has promised to provide support to the families of the victims and ensure that those affected receive the necessary medical care. The Independent will continue to provide updates on this developing story as more information becomes available.
