May 3, 2025 — A religious celebration in Goa turned tragic as a stampede at the Sree Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao village claimed six lives and left over 80 injured. The stampede occurred in the early hours during the fire-walking ritual of the Lairai Zatra festival, which draws thousands of devotees each year.
The incident unfolded when people standing on a slope near the temple reportedly lost balance, causing a chain reaction that led to chaos in the crowd. According to Director General of Police Alok Kumar, the sudden collapse caused many to fall over one another as panic spread. Emergency teams rushed to the scene and ferried the injured to nearby hospitals.
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane confirmed that at least eight people were in critical condition, with two placed on ventilators. Several victims were moved to Goa Medical College and Hospital for advanced treatment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief on social media, sending condolences to the victims’ families and wishing the injured a speedy recovery. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who visited the site, announced a magisterial inquiry into the mishap and declared a three-day mourning period by suspending all official functions.
The Lairai Zatra, known for its traditional fire-walking ceremony, is one of Goa’s largest annual religious events. The tragedy has sparked concern over crowd management and the lack of adequate safety measures at large-scale gatherings.
