By A tragic stampede at the Sree Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao village, Goa, claimed the lives of at least six people and left dozens injured early Saturday, according to reports from the Press Trust of India.
The incident occurred during a major Hindu religious festival that attracts tens of thousands of devotees from Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. The chaos unfolded in the narrow lanes leading to the temple, located about 40 kilometers from Panaji, the state capital.
According to Director General of Police Alok Kumar, the stampede began when some people standing on a slope lost balance, causing a chain reaction that led to others falling on top of one another.
Emergency services rushed the injured to nearby hospitals, and local authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause and prevent future tragedies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident and conveyed condolences to the families of the victims. “The local administration is providing all necessary assistance,” he said via social media.
Religious crowd accidents are not uncommon in India, especially during large gatherings where space is limited. In recent years, multiple stampedes during festivals have resulted in mass casualties, with similar incidents in Hathras and Maha Kumbh Mela drawing national concern.
