**Tragic Stampede at Goa Temple Festival Claims Lives and Injures Many**
At least seven individuals lost their lives, and over 80 others sustained injuries during a stampede at the Sree Lairai Devi temple festival in Shirgao village, North Goa, early Saturday morning. The incident occurred as approximately 30,000 to 40,000 devotees gathered for the annual celebration, with many standing on a slope adjacent to the temple.
According to Director General of Police Alok Kumar, the chaos began when several people fell on the slope, leading to a domino effect that caused others to tumble on top of one another. Reports indicate that around 40 to 50 people fell in the same area, which triggered the stampede, confined to that specific location.
The Sree Lairai Devi temple festival attracts thousands of devotees from Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, who come to honor Goddess Lairai, a form of Goddess Parvati. A significant highlight of the festival is the traditional dhondachi zatra, where participants walk barefoot across burning embers.
In response to the tragedy, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the injured at the North Goa district hospital. He shared that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reached out, offering full support. Sawant announced that a thorough inquiry into the incident would be conducted, stating, “I have asked for a detailed inquiry into the incident. We will make the report public.”
Goa’s Health Minister Vishwajit Rane confirmed that around 80 individuals were injured and receiving treatment. He expressed his condolences, stating, “This is the most unfortunate incident. My whole team has been active the whole night. The focus of the Health department is to save the lives of the critically injured, which are about 10. More than 6 to 7 people have lost their lives. The government is doing its best to save lives.”
The Shri Lairai Zatra festival, which commenced on Friday, is a deeply revered event in Goa, drawing devotees from far and wide to pay homage to the goddess. The community is now mourning the loss and seeking answers as investigations into the stampede unfold.
**FAQ**
**What caused the stampede at the Sree Lairai Devi temple festival?**
The stampede was triggered when several devotees fell on a slope, leading to a chain reaction that caused many others to fall, resulting in a tragic loss of life and numerous injuries.
