Goa: Six killed, several injured in stampede at temple festival; CM orders probe
State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said at least 30 people sustained injuries, of which eight are in critical condition and two were referred to the Goa Medical College and Hospital
At least six people were killed and several sustained injuries in a stampede at Sree Lairai Devi temple in Goa's Shrigao village in the wee hours of Saturday. The injured have been admitted to the Goa Medical College (GMC) and the North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa for treatment.
Thousands of devotees from Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka had gathered at the temple for the festival, a senior police said, adding that the exact cause of the stampede would be ascertained after a probe.
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The stampede occurred during the Shree Devi Lairai Jatra, which started on Friday and brought in thousands of devotees. Around 1,000 police officers were on duty, and drones were used to manage the crowd.
A massive number 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.
Eight critical
State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said at least 30 people sustained injuries, of which eight are in critical condition and two were referred to the Goa Medical College and Hospital in Bambolim.
He said four persons, including two women, were brought dead at the North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa. Eight injured persons were admitted at the district hospital, while 10 were treated for minor injuries, he added. However, officials from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) later confirmed that at least six persons were killed in the stampede.
Rane said the health department has taken immediate and comprehensive steps to manage the situation. "We coordinated with the 108 ambulance service, ensuring that five ambulances were dispatched to the site immediately after the incident, while three more are stationed at the North Goa district hospital," he said.
Rane said additional doctors were roped in, and a dedicated ICU with ventilators was set up to provide consolidated care. "All necessary arrangements have been made, and we are closely monitoring each patient," he said.
CM orders probe
Meanwhile, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that an inquiry will be conducted into the temple stampede and said the probe report will be made public.
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Sawant visited the stampede site at Sree Lairai Devi Temple in Shirgao village hours after the incident. Talking to reporters at the site, Sawant said, "I have asked for a detailed inquiry into the incident. We will make the report public." He said precautions would be taken in the future for all temple festivals in the state to prevent such incidents.
Earlier in the day, Sawant tweeted that he had received a call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who offered his full support.
Known for its blend of northern and southern architectural styles, the temple hosts the Shirgao Jatra in May every year. Villagers from nearby areas, including Maulingem, participate in the religious rituals and offerings dedicated to Goddess Lairai throughout the day.
(With agency inputs)