6 killed, over 30 injured in stampede at Goa temple

Panaji: At least six people were killed and more than 30 injured after a stampede took place during the Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao village of Goa.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday.

Preliminary reports suggest the overcrowding and lack of proper arrangements as possible causes behind the incident.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday visited the hospital to check on the injured persons.

According to the eyewitnesses, the situation escalated after a part of the crowd lost control. Locals and the volunteers at the temple rushed to pull people to safety.

The stampede took place as thousands of devotees thronged the temple to witness and participate in the centuries-old ritual at the temple, where barefoot ‘dhonds’ walk across a bed of burning embers.

The Shri Lairai Yatra is held in North Goa every year, attracting more than 50,000 devotees.

The stampede occurred when, at one point along the route, due to a downward slope, the crowd began moving rapidly all at once.

According to reports, the injured were shifted to nearby hospitals.

North Goa Superintendent of Police Akshat Kaushal said, “Six dead and more than 15 injured in a stampede that occurred at the Lairai Devi temple in Shrigao.”

The stampede took place amid Shree Devi Lairai jatra, which commenced on Friday, with thousands of devotees flocking there.

Around 1,000 police personnel were deployed for the jatra as the administration is on its toes. Drones were also placed for aerial surveillance of crowd movements.

Earlier on Friday, Chief Minister Sawant, his wife Sulakshana, Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanawade, and MLAs Premendra Shet and Carlos Ferreira, visited the jatra.

The temple is known for its blend of northern and southern architectural styles, hosts the Shirgao Jatra every May. The festival, which features a traditional fire-walking ritual, attracts thousands of devotees.

Villagers from nearby areas, including Maulingem, participate in the religious rituals and offerings dedicated to Goddess Lairai throughout the day, as mentioned on the Goa Tourism website.

As midnight nears during the Lairai Jatra, devotees perform a spirited circular dance inside the temple, clashing sticks in rhythm with drum beats.

IANS