NEW DELHI: Atleast 6 people killed and over 70 injured after a stampede broke out during a temple festival in North Goa on Saturday. A senior police officer said that the incident took place in the wee hours at Sree Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao village. Chief minister Pramod Sawant takes stock of the situation and ordered an inquiry. According to reports, the injured were shifted to nearby hospitals.
The exact cause of the stampede would be ascertained after a probe. The officer added that thousands of devotees from Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka had gathered at the temple for the festival.
The government has cancelled all events supported by it for the next three days.
CM Pramod Sawant meets injured in hospital
CM Sawant visited the North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa to meet the injured. Expressing grief over the injured, he said, "Deeply saddened by the tragic stampede at the Lairai Zatra in Shirgao this morning. I visited the hospital to meet the injured and have assured all possible support to the affected families."
The chief minister said that he is personally monitoring the situation "to ensure that every necessary measure is being taken."
PM Modi takes stock of situation
Sawant added that PM Modi spoke to him and offered full support. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with me and took detailed stock of the situation, offering his full support during this difficult time," Goa CM said in a post on X.
"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," PM Modi said.
How did the stampede occur?
Maem MLA Premendra Shet, in a conversation with ANI said, "Famous Lairai Zatra was underway since yesterday around 3 am, at a sloppy area, some of the devotees fell on top of the others. A stampede situation occurred, 6 people died in the incident, bodies of 4 have been kept at the district hospital in Mapusa, 2 bodies are at the Community Health Centre."
However, director general of police Alok Kumar said that, "At least 30,000 to 40,000 people had gathered for the festival, and some were standing on a slope. A few people fell on the slope, causing others to tumble on each other."
He added that 40 to 50 people fell on the slope, and the stampede was confined to that spot.
Eight people in critical condition
State health minister Vishwajit Rane confirmed that the deceased, including two men and two women who were brought dead to the hospital.
Eight of the injured are in critical condition and two were referred to the Goa Medical College and Hospital in Bambolim, he added.
Emergency response initiated
Meanwhile, an emergency response has been initiated after the incident took place. “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,” said Rane.
He added that all necessary medical arrangements have been made. “We are closely monitoring each patient’s condition. Nodal officers from GMC and Asilo have been appointed to oversee the response. Regular updates will be provided,” the minister said.
A dedicated ICU with ventilators was set up to provide consolidated care, Rane said. Additional doctors were roped in, he added.
"All necessary arrangements have been made, and we are closely monitoring each patient," he said.
The exact cause of the stampede would be ascertained after a probe. The officer added that thousands of devotees from Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka had gathered at the temple for the festival.
The government has cancelled all events supported by it for the next three days.
#WATCH | Goa: 6 people died and several injured after a stampede occurred at the Lairai Devi temple in Shrigao
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2025
(Visuals from the spot) pic.twitter.com/SFWlR0TlSz
CM Pramod Sawant meets injured in hospital
CM Sawant visited the North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa to meet the injured. Expressing grief over the injured, he said, "Deeply saddened by the tragic stampede at the Lairai Zatra in Shirgao this morning. I visited the hospital to meet the injured and have assured all possible support to the affected families."
The chief minister said that he is personally monitoring the situation "to ensure that every necessary measure is being taken."
VIDEO | Goa CM Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) visited North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa to meet the injured as several people have been feared dead and injured in a stampede at a temple festival in Shirgao village last night.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 3, 2025
(Source: Third Party)#Goa pic.twitter.com/DjA0G4mYNA
PM Modi takes stock of situation
Sawant added that PM Modi spoke to him and offered full support. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with me and took detailed stock of the situation, offering his full support during this difficult time," Goa CM said in a post on X.
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…
— Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) May 3, 2025
"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," PM Modi said.
How did the stampede occur?
Maem MLA Premendra Shet, in a conversation with ANI said, "Famous Lairai Zatra was underway since yesterday around 3 am, at a sloppy area, some of the devotees fell on top of the others. A stampede situation occurred, 6 people died in the incident, bodies of 4 have been kept at the district hospital in Mapusa, 2 bodies are at the Community Health Centre."
However, director general of police Alok Kumar said that, "At least 30,000 to 40,000 people had gathered for the festival, and some were standing on a slope. A few people fell on the slope, causing others to tumble on each other."
He added that 40 to 50 people fell on the slope, and the stampede was confined to that spot.
Eight people in critical condition
State health minister Vishwajit Rane confirmed that the deceased, including two men and two women who were brought dead to the hospital.
Eight of the injured are in critical condition and two were referred to the Goa Medical College and Hospital in Bambolim, he added.
Emergency response initiated
Meanwhile, an emergency response has been initiated after the incident took place. “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,” said Rane.
He added that all necessary medical arrangements have been made. “We are closely monitoring each patient’s condition. Nodal officers from GMC and Asilo have been appointed to oversee the response. Regular updates will be provided,” the minister said.
A dedicated ICU with ventilators was set up to provide consolidated care, Rane said. Additional doctors were roped in, he added.
"All necessary arrangements have been made, and we are closely monitoring each patient," he said.
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