A tragic incident occurred late Friday night at the Shri Lairai Devi Temple in Shirgao, Goa, during a religious gathering. A stampede broke out, resulting in the death of at least six people and leaving over 15 others injured. The stampede took place during the Shri Lairai Zatra, one of Goa’s most popular and crowded festivals.
Thousands of people had gathered at the temple for the dhondachi zatra, a traditional ritual where devotees walk barefoot over burning embers. The exact cause of the stampede is still being investigated, and the names of the victims have not been released.
Goa’s Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant, shared that the six victims died before reaching the hospital. Two bodies are currently at a community health centre, while others are being treated at various hospitals. One person remains in serious condition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to the CM and offered support from the central government.
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Emergency Response
Emergency services acted quickly, sending five ambulances to the scene. Four of the deceased, including two men and two women, were declared dead at the hospital. Health Minister Vishwajit Rane confirmed that the injured are being closely monitored and treated in local hospitals, including Goa Medical College and the North Goa District Hospital.
Officials Visit Victims
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the hospitals and the site of the incident. He was accompanied by local officials, including Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade and MLAs Premendra Shet and Carlos Ferreira.
Crowd Management Concerns
The Shri Lairai Zatra festival attracts tens of thousands of devotees every year. To manage the large crowd, about 1,000 police officers were deployed, along with drones for aerial surveillance. However, despite these measures, the situation spiraled out of control, raising concerns about crowd safety and emergency planning.
The Importance of the Festival
The dhondachi zatra is a deeply spiritual and cultural event. Devotees walk barefoot over glowing embers to honor Goddess Lairai, believed to be a form of Goddess Parvati. The festival is an important part of Goan culture, marked by chanting, drum beats, and fire-walking rituals.
This year’s tragedy has overshadowed the sacredness of the event. Families of the victims are mourning their losses, and many others are recovering in hospitals. Authorities have promised a full investigation into what went wrong during the festival.
