At least seven people were killed and over 30 injured in a stampede during the annual Shri Lairai Zatra festival held at the Shri Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao, Goa, late on Friday night. The injured were rushed to Goa Medical College (GMC) in Bambolim and the North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the North Goa District Hospital on Saturday morning to assess the situation and meet the victims. He had earlier visited the government hospital in Bicholim as well.
The stampede occurred as thousands of devotees gathered for the traditional dhondachi zatra, a fire-walking ritual in which participants walk barefoot across burning embers as an act of devotion to Goddess Lairai, believed to be a form of Goddess Parvati.
The annual Zatra, which began on Friday, draws large crowds from across Goa and neighbouring states. The celebrations include a grand procession of the deity, devotional chanting, rhythmic drumming, and ceremonial offerings.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the deceased or confirmed the precise cause of the stampede. A probe is expected.
The fire-walking ceremony, typically held in the early hours of the day, attracts thousands of participants and spectators. Devotees often queue for hours to take part in the ritual, creating intense crowd pressure.
Officials said crowd control measures were in place, but the sudden surge of devotees at the ritual site appears to have led to the stampede. Emergency response teams and police personnel were deployed to manage the aftermath.
Chief Minister Sawant expressed grief over the incident and assured that the injured are receiving appropriate medical care. “We are doing everything possible to assist the families of the victims. A detailed inquiry will be conducted to ascertain what led to this tragedy,” he said.
The Shri Lairai Zatra is among Goa’s most significant and culturally rich religious festivals. The event has traditionally drawn large numbers of worshippers, with local authorities making elaborate arrangements each year. However, this year’s tragedy has prompted questions over the adequacy of safety planning and crowd regulation mechanisms.
Further updates are awaited as the administration investigates the circumstances that triggered the deadly stampede.
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