Tragedy at Goa Temple Festival: Stampede Claims Six Lives, Injures Dozens During Shri Lairai Devi Zatra in Bicholim
In a tragic turn of events during a major religious gathering, at least six devotees lost their lives and over 30 others sustained injuries after a stampede broke out in the early hours of Saturday at the Shri Lairai Devi temple in Bicholim, North Goa.
The unfortunate incident occurred around 3:00 AM during the temple’s annual jatra, a highly anticipated event that attracts thousands of worshippers from across Goa and neighboring states.
The stampede erupted amid the dense crowds that had gathered near the temple’s steep approach road, where devotees were moving towards the shrine as part of ritualistic celebrations.
According to initial reports provided by law enforcement agencies and medical personnel, the chaos began when one individual tripped and fell on a narrow, sloped section of the road.
The fall reportedly caused panic among the tightly packed crowd, triggering a chain reaction that led to people pushing and stumbling over each other in a desperate attempt to flee the congested area.
A senior police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated, “The exact cause of the stampede is still under investigation, but preliminary observations suggest that the mishap was initiated by a fall on a steep incline near the temple’s approach route.
The area was overcrowded, and the confined space likely exacerbated the situation.”
Medical Response and Casualties
The injured were rushed to multiple healthcare facilities for urgent treatment. At least 10 individuals are said to be in critical condition and are receiving intensive care at the Goa Medical College and Hospital in Bambolim.
Others were admitted to the North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa and the local Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Bicholim. Emergency medical teams, supported by local authorities and volunteers, responded swiftly to control the situation and assist in evacuation efforts.
Chief Minister Visits Victims, Orders Inquiry
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant personally visited the hospitals to assess the condition of the injured and oversee the relief measures being undertaken by the state administration.
During his visit to the North Goa District Hospital and the Bicholim PHC, the Chief Minister interacted with the victims and their families, assuring them of the government’s full support.
Taking to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Sawant expressed his grief and shared the government’s response.
“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,” he wrote.
He further added that an official inquiry has been ordered to investigate the circumstances leading to the disaster. A committee will examine crowd management protocols, emergency preparedness, and the overall handling of the event to determine whether lapses contributed to the tragedy.
Prime Minister Modi Responds with Condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reacted to the unfortunate incident with heartfelt condolences. Posting on X, the Prime Minister stated, “Saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede in Shirgao, Goa.
Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected.” The message was seen as a show of solidarity with the victims and their families during this difficult time.
Massive Crowds and High Security Presence
The annual Lairai Devi jatra is one of Goa’s most popular religious festivals and draws tens of thousands of devotees each year.
Held at the Shri Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao village, the event is known for its traditional rituals, including the unique practice of walking barefoot over burning embers by select devotees—a centuries-old ritual that symbolizes faith and spiritual devotion.
Given the scale of the event and the expected turnout, the state government had deployed a massive security presence to manage the crowd and ensure safety.
More than 1,000 police personnel were mobilized in and around the temple complex, including officers from the North Goa District Police, the India Reserve Battalion, and the Goa Reserve Police Force. Barricades, checkpoints, and traffic diversions had been put in place, and drones were reportedly being used to monitor crowd density.
Despite these elaborate security arrangements, the stampede underscores the challenges associated with managing large gatherings, particularly in areas with limited space and infrastructure.
The state administration has come under scrutiny, with some questioning whether sufficient preventive measures were in place to control the movement of the crowd and respond swiftly to emergencies.
Call for Better Crowd Management and Safety Protocols
The incident has reignited the debate over safety protocols at religious events in India, where mass gatherings are common and often take place in locations not equipped to handle surges in foot traffic.
Experts and civic activists are calling for better planning, early risk assessments, and the deployment of advanced technologies to monitor crowd flow and prevent tragedies.
As the families of the deceased mourn their loss and many others recover from injuries, the Goa government has pledged to take all necessary actions to prevent such incidents in the future.
The inquiry findings are expected to inform the development of new guidelines for organizing and managing large-scale public events, not just in Goa, but across the country.
