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3d ago

Goa Temple Stampede Claims Six Lives, Inquiry Underway

A deadly stampede during the Lairai Jatra festival at Sree Lairai Devi Temple has prompted a government investigation into crowd management failures.

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Six devotees were killed and more than 70 injured in the early morning stampede during a temple festival in Shirgaon village of Goa as thousands of people jostled for space in narrow lanes of the shrine devoted to a goddess, officials said.
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Overview

  • The stampede occurred in the early hours of May 3, 2025, at the Sree Lairai Devi Temple in Shirgao village, North Goa, killing six and injuring over 70 devotees, with eight critically hurt.
  • Preliminary findings suggest overcrowding, a sloped approach, and possible panic from an electric shock as key factors contributing to the tragedy.
  • Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident, with a fact-finding committee recording statements from officials and temple representatives.
  • Emergency response included deploying ambulances, additional medical staff, and ICU facilities, while local hospitals remain on high alert to treat the injured.
  • The state government canceled all government-supported events for three days as a mark of respect, while rituals at the temple resumed under tightened safety advisories.