Overcrowding, chaos, panic spread: What led to fatal stampede in Goa ?
The incident took place in the wee hours of Saturday during a midnight ritual where hundreds of devotees had gathered around a large fire, taking part in a traditional ceremony believed to fulfill wishes.
PTC News Desk: The religious gathering to commemorate Shri Lairai Zatra festival in Goa turned tragic after a stampede broke out at a temple in Shirgao claiming lives of six people and injuring over 50.
The incident took place in the wee hours of Saturday during a midnight ritual where hundreds of devotees had gathered around a large fire, taking part in a traditional ceremony believed to fulfill wishes.
Witnesses reported a sudden outbreak of chaos as panic swept through the overcrowded venue. In the ensuing confusion, devotees started pushing and shoving in an effort to escape. Preliminary accounts suggest that poor crowd management and severe overcrowding played a role in the incident.
Emergency services responded swiftly, with police and disaster response teams leading the rescue efforts. The injured were transported to Goa Medical College and the North Goa District Hospital, where extra medical personnel were mobilized to manage the surge in patients.
Chief Minister Sawant visited the injured at the hospital and assured the public that all necessary measures were being taken. “We are monitoring the situation closely. Additional medical teams are working around the clock,” he said.
Meanwhile, Maem MLA Premendra Shet said that the incident took place because of the slippery and sloped area near the temple, causing some devotees to fall and others to be trampled in the chaos.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident. In a statement, he said: “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.”