Goa, India – May 3, 2025
A tragic stampede at a Hindu temple festival in Goa has resulted in the deaths of at least six individuals and left 55 others injured, including eight in critical condition, according to local authorities. The incident occurred on the night of May 2 during the annual Shri Lairai Zatra festival in Shirgao village, a coastal area renowned for its vibrant religious celebrations.
The Shri Lairai Zatra festival is a significant event in the region, attracting hundreds of devotees who participate in various rituals, including the traditional fire-walking ceremony. The stampede was triggered during one of these rituals when the crowd became uncontrollable. “Devotees were witnessing a religious ceremony, and the frenzy caused during the rituals triggered a stampede,” stated V.S. Chadonkar, a police officer in Goa’s state capital, Panjim.
Emergency services responded promptly, transporting the injured to nearby hospitals. Medical personnel are working diligently to treat those affected, with particular attention to the critically injured. Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the stampede and to assess whether adequate safety measures were in place during the festival
Stampedes during large religious gatherings are, unfortunately, not uncommon in India, where vast crowds often assemble in confined spaces, sometimes without sufficient crowd control measures. This incident underscores the pressing need for improved safety protocols and infrastructure to manage large-scale events effectively.
Local officials have expressed their condolences to the families of the victims and have pledged to review and enhance safety measures for future events. The Goa state government is expected to hold a meeting with festival organizers and law enforcement agencies to develop strategies aimed at preventing such tragedies in the future.
As the community mourns the loss of life, there is a collective call for increased awareness and implementation of safety standards to ensure that religious and cultural festivities can be celebrated without endangering the lives of participants.
Source; Reuters
