A religious celebration turned tragic on Friday night when a stampede at the renowned Lairai Devi Zatra in Shirgaon, claimed the lives of six devotees and left more than 60 others injured.
At least 5 individuals are reported to be in very critical condition and are currently receiving treatment at Goa Medical College (GMC). Some of the injures are under treatment in the North Goa District Hospital, and Bicholim Hospital.
The stampede occurred during the annual fair, which draws thousands of devotees from across the state and neighboring regions.
According to preliminary reports, the incident was triggered when two women tripped over a rope barricade set up by the police along a steep procession path. This caused a domino effect, resulting in a rush of panic as people stumbled and fell, leading to chaos and a deadly crush.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the injured at GMC and Bicholim Hospital on Saturday morning, assuring families that all necessary medical and administrative support would be extended.
"It is extremely unfortunate that such a devastating incident has occurred during one of Goa’s most revered religious festival," Sawant said.
He also inspected the site of the incident in Shirgaon and announced that a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the cause and prevent such occurrences in the future.
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane expressed deep sorrow over the incident and confirmed that emergency response teams from the health department were promptly mobilized.
“Every possible effort is being made to save those critically injured. All emergency medical services are fully operational,” Rane stated.
GMC Dean Dr. Shivanand Bandekar confirmed that five patients remain in critical condition and are receiving intensive care. "We are doing everything we can to stabilize them," he added.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and confusion. “The path was steep and overcrowded. When the two women fell, it created a wave of people pushing and running in all directions,” said one attendee. Several others pointed to inadequate crowd control measures and delays in emergency response, including late arrival of ambulances due to the dense crowd.
The Lairai Devi Zatra is considered one of Goa’s most significant spiritual events, drawing large numbers of pilgrims annually. Friday night’s incident has cast a shadow over the festivities, prompting widespread grief and calls for enhanced safety protocols at large public gatherings.