Team Herald
BAMBOLIM: It was a typical hot summer day, but at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC), a heavier stillness hung in the air — not just from the weather, but from the tragedy that had struck in the early hours of Saturday.
Ambulances had brought in the injured from the stampede at the Shree Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao — a disaster that left six dead and more than 70 injured.
Fourteen of the wounded were admitted to GMC, while others were taken to hospitals across the State. The bodies of the deceased were placed in the hospital’s mortuary. Outside the critical care ward, relatives waited — quiet, anxious, and exhausted — as medical staff moved in and out of the ICU.
Nurses worked quickly and doctors appeared occasionally, only to be intercepted by desperate families seeking news. Most returned with little more than brief updates: treatment was ongoing, and further details would follow from the chief medical officer.
Among those keeping vigil was Sudanshu Harlankar, who had originally come to the hospital to care for his father. He now found himself waiting for news of his uncle, Sujay Harlankar, who had been injured in the stampede.
“My uncle was trying to help a young girl who had fallen behind him. While attempting to rescue her, he fell, and about 50 people trampled him. He was badly crushed,” Sudanshu added.
“His ribs are injured, and he has a history of back problems. His face is swollen and red, and he can’t speak at the moment. The girl he tried to save didn’t survive,” he said.
Doctors were still awaiting test results. “He’s still in a critical condition,” Sudanshu added. “He’s just starting to speak a bit and open his eyes. His ribs are likely broken. He’s 54 years old and will probably be in the hospital for a few days.”
Elsewhere in the hospital, Rajesh Kalangutkar mourned the loss of two relatives from Tivim, whose bodies lay in the mortuary. A resident of Mayem, Rajesh had attended the temple festival but left minutes before the stampede began.
“There’s always a crowd during the zatra,” he said. “The dhonds come from their ritual bath and arrive at the temple in large numbers. Around 2.30 am, there were hardly any police present. Everyone was in a queue, and there was a bit of pushing. Then the stampede started.”
He went on, “Women were at the front, and a rope placed there caused some to trip. As the crowd pushed forward, people began falling over each other. Those at the bottom didn’t survive.”
Among those who died was Rajesh’s 17-year-old nephew, Aditya Kalangutkar. “His face was completely smashed — he fell forward and people walked over him. He had just completed his SSC and enrolled in Class XI at a college in Mapusa. He was the only son and had a sister. His mother was with him as he fell, but there was nothing she could do.”
Dr. Rajesh Patil, Medical Superintendent of GMC, said: “At 5.30 am on Saturday, 14 patients were admitted to the hospital, of whom one was discharged. Five are critical and are under treatment. One of them is improving and out of danger. The injuries involve rib fractures and maxillary sinus and operations are not needed. Presently, I am in touch with the superintendents at Asilo Hospital and in Bicholim and told them that they could transfer patients to us. We are equipped to handle the situation.”