NEW DELHI — A tragic incident unfolded early Saturday during a religious gathering in Goa, India, resulting in the deaths of at least six individuals and leaving dozens injured. The event occurred at the Sree Lairai Devi temple, located in Shirgao village approximately 40 kilometers from Panaji, the state’s capital. According to local authorities, the stampede happened as thousands of devotees filled the narrow lanes leading up to the temple.
The annual Hindu festival drew tens of thousands of participants from Goa as well as from neighboring states, including Maharashtra and Karnataka. The chaos ensued when people crowded on a slope near the temple began to fall, creating a domino effect that caused more individuals to tumble onto one another, described by Director General of Police Alok Kumar.
Medical teams promptly transported the injured to nearby hospitals for immediate care. In response to the tragedy, local authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the cause and prevent future incidents. This stampede highlights a recurring issue during Indian religious festivals, where large crowds gather in confined spaces.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences via social media, conveying his sadness over the loss of life. He assured affected families that the local administration is actively providing assistance to those impacted by the event.
India has a history of such tragic occurrences during religious observances. January saw at least 30 fatalities during a stampede at the vast Maha Kumbh festival, the world’s largest religious congregation, as attendees hurried to perform ceremonial river baths. Furthermore, last July, a stampede at a religious event in Hathras town in northern India led to the deaths of at least 116 individuals, predominantly women and children, underscoring the urgent need for measures to manage the massive crowds during such gatherings.