PM condoles deaths after stampede at Goa’s Shirgao temple leaves six dead

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed his condolences over the tragic deaths caused by a stampede during the annual Lairai Devi Jatra in Shirgao, North Goa. “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,” he said in a​ post​ on X.

The stampede occurred during the early hours of Saturday as thousands of devotees gathered for the popular fire-walking ritual at the Lairai Devi Temple. Despite police deployment and surveillance measures, the massive crowd reportedly became unmanageable during the peak hours of the ritual, resulting in the deaths of six individuals and injuries to more than 30 others.

According to state Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, at least 30 people sustained injuries, eight of whom are in critical condition. Two of the severely injured were transferred to Goa Medical College and Hospital in Bambolim, while others were admitted to the North Goa District Hospital.

According to agency reports, eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes during the religious ceremony, with many complaining about bottlenecks and inadequate exit routes. “There was too much ​of a crowd in a narrow area. Suddenly, people started pushing from behind,” a local volunteer who helped in the rescue efforts was quoted as saying in the media.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who visited the injured in ​the hospital, said: “Deeply saddened by the tragic stampede at the Lairai Zatra in Shirgaon this morning. I have assured all possible support to the affected families and am personally monitoring the situation.”

Nearly 1,000 police personnel had been deployed for crowd management, and drones were used for aerial surveillance. However, preliminary reports suggest that the scale of the crowd may have overwhelmed available infrastructure.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the stampede. The Goa government has promised strict action if lapses are found in crowd control or event planning.

The annual Jatra is one of Goa’s most significant religious gatherings, drawing devotees from across the state as well as neighbouring Maharashtra and Karnataka and other states.

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