Goa Stampede: A large crowd had gathered at the Shirgaon Temple in Goa for the annual procession. It suddenly led to a stampede after which six people died and many received severe injuries.
Photo : Times Now
At least seven people died and more than 50 were left injured after a stampede during the Shirgaon temple jatra (procession) in Goa. Those injured have been shifted to a nearby hospital. Some of the injured are said to be in critical condition.
The incident happened late on Friday night when chaos was seen after a huge crowd had gathered during the temple procession. A stampede occurred due to the large number of people at the site and many, including women and children, were injured.
Goa CM Pramod Sawant visited the GMC and North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa where the injured are being treated.
In an exclusive conversation with Times Mow, the Chief Minister said the incident happened at 4 am. “There were more than 50 thousand people…when the procession reached a slope, the crowd went berserk. Injured are being treated,” he said.
In a post on X, he said, “Deeply saddened by the tragic stampede at the Lairai Zatra in Shirgaon this morning. I visited the hospital to meet the injured and have assured all possible support to the affected families. I am personally monitoring the situation to ensure that every necessary measure is being taken.”
Deeply saddened by the tragic stampede at the Lairai Zatra in Shirgaon this morning. I visited the hospital to meet the injured and have assured all possible support to the affected families. I am personally monitoring the situation to ensure that every necessary measure is being…
— Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) May 3, 2025
“Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with me and took detailed stock of the situation, offering his full support during this difficult time,” the Goa CM added.
After meeting the injured at the hospital, Union Minister Shripad Naik said, “Many people got injured in the ‘yatra’, many people died. This is first such incident there. I cannot say how it happened as of now. I pay my condolences to the people who died and wish for speedy recovery of the injured. The festival is being celebrated for many years, we have to be careful in future.”
