Stampede at India’s Shri Lairai Zatra festival leaves six dead, dozens hurt

At least six people were killed and 55 were injured in a stampede at an Indian temple in the western coastal state of Goa where hundreds of devout Hindus had assembled, police official said on May 3.

The stampede occurred on May 2 night during the annual Shri Lairai Zatra festival in Shirgao village, which is popular for its events including fire-walking, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

"Devotees were witnessing a religious ceremony and the frenzy caused during the rituals triggered a stampede," said V.S. Chadonkar, a police officer in Goa's state capital Panjim.

"Six people lost their lives and at least eight were critically injured," he said.

Stampedes during large Hindu religious gatherings are routinely reported in India, as huge crowds gather in tight spaces often ignoring safety protocol.

Goa: Visuals show the chaotic scene after the stampede, with thousands in the crowd and panic setting in as ambulances arrived at the incident site pic.twitter.com/pbgfxvsMWF

— IANS (@ians_india) May 3, 2025

A tragic stampede occurred at the Sree Devi Lairai temple in Shirgaon, located approximately 40 kilometres from Panaji, Goa, during a large religious gathering. The incident unfolded when panic spread among the thousands of devotees, leading to a sudden rush and chaotic scenes as people struggled to escape the dense crowd. Authorities have confirmed that several people were injured, and they have been transferred to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The incident has prompted reactions from Indian political leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of lives, offering condolences to the victims' families and wishing for the swift recovery of the injured. Goa's Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant, also extended his condolences, visiting the injured at the hospital and assuring them of full support. Sawant emphasized that he was personally overseeing the situation and that all necessary steps were being taken to assist those affected.

While the precise cause of the stampede remains under investigation, preliminary reports suggest that overcrowding and inadequate crowd control measures may have contributed to the incident.

The Lairai Devi Jatra, an annual festival in Shirgaon, draws thousands of devotees from Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. It celebrates Goddess Lairai, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, and includes unique rituals such as the fire-walking ceremony, where devotees walk barefoot over burning coals seeking blessings.

Goa's Health Minister, Vishwajit Rane, labeled the incident an unfortunate stampede and outlined the immediate response to manage the situation. Emergency services were quickly mobilized, with ambulances dispatched to the site and additional units kept on standby.

Efforts are underway to stabilize the injured, with additional medical personnel and resources, including a dedicated ICU with ventilators, being deployed to manage the situation. Authorities are closely monitoring the condition of the victims and have ensured that emergency services remain on high alert.

By Vafa Guliyeva