Goa Temple Festival Turns Tragic as Stampede Kills 6, Injures Over 50

A joyful religious event turned into a heartbreaking tragedy in Goa when a stampede at the Lairai Devi Temple in Shirgao village killed 6 people and injured more than 50. The stampede happened early in the morning during the famous Lairai Zatra festival, which is known for a fire-walking ritual.

Thousands of people had gathered at the temple to take part in or watch the traditional fire-walk called “Dhondachi”. The crowd was huge, and people were standing close together. According to some eyewitnesses, people standing on a nearby slope lost balance and fell, which caused others to panic and run, leading to a stampede. Some reports also say that a sudden electric shock might have caused fear in the crowd.

Emergency teams rushed to the spot, and the injured were taken to nearby hospitals, including Goa Medical College and Mapusa District Hospital. Many of the injured are in serious condition, and doctors are providing them with the best care possible.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the hospitals and met the families of the victims. He also announced that all government programs will be cancelled for the next three days to show respect for the people who lost their lives. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also shared his condolences and assured full support from the central government.

The police have started an investigation to find out what caused the stampede and whether proper safety measures were in place. This sad incident has shocked the entire state and raised important questions about crowd management during large religious events.

The Lairai Zatra is one of Goa’s biggest temple festivals and attracts people from all over. But this year, the festival ended with pain and sorrow instead of celebration.