Goa Temple Stampede: 7 Dead, Over 80 Injured as Devotees Fall on Slope During Shirgao Festival
Shirgao, Goa – May 3, 2025: A tragic stampede at the revered Shri Lairai Devi Temple in North Goa’s Shirgao village claimed at least seven lives and left over 80 injured in the early hours of Saturday. The incident occurred during the annual Shri Lairai Zatra festival, one of the most significant religious events in the region.
According to Goa Police, the stampede was triggered when a few devotees standing on a slope near the temple lost their balance and fell, causing a chain reaction in which 40 to 50 people tumbled over each other. The site became overcrowded as nearly 30,000 to 40,000 devotees gathered for the festival, many from Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
Director General of Police Alok Kumar, speaking to PTI, confirmed that the incident was confined to a specific area near the slope, and that authorities responded promptly to control the situation.
Chief Minister Orders Inquiry
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the North Goa District Hospital to meet the injured and their families. In a statement on social media platform X, Sawant revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally called to offer support and solidarity with the victims.
“I have asked for a detailed inquiry into the incident. We will make the report public,” Sawant told reporters at the site.
Health Minister: Focus on Saving Critical Patients
Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane stated that more than 80 people were injured, with around 10 in critical condition. “My whole team has been working through the night. Our focus is on saving lives. This is the most unfortunate incident,” Rane said.
🚨 Tragedy in Goa:
— PuneNow (@itspunenow) May 3, 2025
At least 7 dead, 80+ injured in a stampede at Shri Lairai Devi temple during the annual Zatra in Shirgao. Massive crowd, slippery slope led to chaos. CM orders probe.#STAMPEDE #GoaStampede #Shirgao #LairaiZatra #TempleTragedy
📷Third Party pic.twitter.com/AP2wvFoDQa
Festival Background
The Shri Lairai Zatra festival began on Friday and attracts tens of thousands of devotees every year. It is held in honour of Goddess Lairai, believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. The spiritual highlight of the celebration is the dhondachi zatra, a ritual where devotees walk barefoot over burning embers as a mark of devotion and penance.
The festival is considered a symbol of faith and endurance, but this year’s event turned tragic due to the unexpected crowd surge.
Authorities are now focused on managing the aftermath, ensuring proper medical attention for the injured, and preventing similar incidents in the future. A formal investigation is expected to outline accountability and necessary safety protocols for upcoming large-scale gatherings.
