Goa Stampede: At least seven people were killed, and over 30 people sustained injuries after a stampede occurred during the annual Jatra (religious procession) at the Shirgão temple in Goa on Friday.

The incident took place after a sudden panic swept through the massive crowd, triggering a rush for safety. 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.

#BreakingNews | गोवा के शिरगांव में बहुत बड़ा हादसा, धार्मिक जुलूस के दौरान मची भगदड़. हादसे में 6 लोगों की मौत, कई घायल #Goa #GoaStampede @Chandans_live @theanupamajha pic.twitter.com/b6BR1i8qIO
— Zee News (@ZeeNews) May 3, 2025

Upon receiving news of the tragedy, the police and emergency services promptly arrived at the scene and launched a rescue operation. The injured were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals for medical attention.

#WATCH | Goa: 6 people died and several injured after a stampede occurred at the Lairai Devi temple in Shrigao

(Visuals from the spot) pic.twitter.com/SFWlR0TlSz

— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2025

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, news agency IANS reported. 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 the 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.

Assure All Possible Support To Affected Families: CM Pramod Sawant

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday said that the state authorities are ensuring that all necessary medical attention is provided to those injured in the tragic stampede that occurred during the Lairai Devi temple festivities in Shirgao village. The incident took place in the early hours of Saturday as a large number of devotees had gathered for the annual yatra. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant personally visited the hospital to assess the condition of the injured.

Later, posting on X, the Chief Minister said, “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.”

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…
— Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) May 3, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with CM Sawant and reviewed the situation in detail, offering full support from the Centre during this difficult time. Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane confirmed that all district hospitals were on high alert and fully equipped to handle the emergency.

(With agencies’ Inputs)