What happened late last night at Shirgao's Lairai Devi temple is deeply unfortunate, as a tragic stampede occurred during the procession, claiming the lives of at least six people and leaving dozens injured during a religious activity. The incident unfolded when panic swept through a densely packed crowd of devotees participating in the annual Lairai Devi Jatra.
Held every April or May, the Lairai Jatra is one of Goa’s most revered religious events. Dedicated to Goddess Lairai, believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Parvati and one of the seven sister deities in Goan folklore, the festival draws thousands of devotees from across Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
In anticipation of the large crowd, authorities had implemented extensive security arrangements in coordination with the temple committee. Over 1,000 police personnel were deployed, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP)-level officer, several senior officials, and a large number of constables and women police officers.
However, the preparations appeared to fall short, as the security measures failed entirely, ultimately leading to the stampede.
Evening of 2 May (Friday)
Thousands of devotees from Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka gathered in Shirgao for the annual Shree Lairai Devi Jatra.
➤ Heavy crowd movement began building near the narrow approach roads to the temple.
➤ Authorities had deployed over 1,000 police personnel, including a DySP-level officer, with additional constables and women officers.
Late Night – 2 May to Early Hours – 3 May
➤ Crowd intensified ahead of the "Dhonds" fire-walking ritual.
➤ Around 2:30 AM, some women tripped over a rope barrier placed for crowd control.
➤ In seconds, panic spread—a stampede broke out, with devotees falling over one another.
Early Morning – 3 May (Saturday)
➤ 6 persons died, including 2 women and a 17-year-old boy.
➤ Around 75 others were injured, many suffering respiratory issues, chest, and other injuries.
➤ Victims rushed to:
- Goa Medical College & Hospital (GMC), Bambolim
- Asilo District Hospital, Mapusa
- CHC Sankhali & CHC Bicholim
Morning – 3 May
➤ GMC Medical Superintendent Dr Rajesh Patil: 14 patients admitted to critical care at GMC, 5 on ventilator support.
➤ Health Minister Vishwajit Rane: 22 patients under treatment—18 at Asilo, 3 at CHC Bicholim, 1 at CHC Sankhali.
➤ CM Pramod Sawant visited hospitals and ordered an inquiry, led by SP North Goa Akshat Kaushal, IPS.
Later on 3 May
➤ Eyewitness Rama Gaonkar blamed the chaos on mismanagement and rope entanglement.
➤ CM promised: “Inquiry report will be made public and stricter precautions at all future temple events.”
➤ Health Minister Vishwajit Rane confirmed:
- 5 ambulances dispatched via 108 service.
- Emergency helpline 104 active and receiving calls.
- GMC and health teams working round-the-clock.
Vishal Gauns Dessai, a regular at the Shree Lairai Jatra from Avedem-Kothambi, didn’t hold back while describing what went wrong during the tragic stampede. “This year’s crowd was massive, but the arrangements were a mess,” he said. “There was no proper crowd control, and some Dhonds were rough, pushing devotees while heading for the fire-walking ceremony. This has to change.”
According to Dessai, the chaos began with heated arguments, first between two stall owners and then between a vendor and a Dhond who was accused of damaging a bulb with his cane. “Just as one scuffle ended, another broke out, and suddenly, a huge crowd surged forward. The timing couldn’t have been worse.”
Dessai also criticised the police response. “Most officers were busy escorting a VIP, leaving only a few to handle the crowd. The rope barriers did nothing on the slope. Proper barricades should have been in place.”
He said it all unfolded just metres from where he stood, and in seconds, panic took over. “It was total chaos. This tragedy could have been avoided.”
Calling for strong reforms, Dessai demanded strict rules for Dhonds, removal of roadside stalls, and better planning. “This year, I came with two friends. After what happened, I’m not sure I’ll ever return on the main Jatra day.”
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the Goa Medical College to meet the victims injured in the Shirgaon stampede. As of now, reports indicate that a total of 14 people are admitted, with 5 on ventilators.
Pramod Sawant shared that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called to inquire about the situation and promised assistance from the Centre. Sawant said, “Six people died in the stampede, and over 50 people were injured. After learning about it, I went to the site. The injured are being treated in the hospital. Over 50,000 people attend the Jatra every year. This is a tragic incident. PM Modi called to check on the situation and assured help from the Centre.”
He also mentioned that an investigation is being carried out by the SP North and the Collector. As a result, the state government has cancelled all official programs for the next three days.
The incident could have been triggered by overcrowding and insufficient crowd control measures, although it's unclear if the fire-walking ritual played a role at the time.
Helpline numbers for assistance: People can contact the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Bicholim at 8806562152 and the District Control Room (North Goa) at 0832-2225383.
Emergency helpline: The state's 24/7 helpline, 104, is active to provide immediate support for emergencies related to the incident.