Sat May 03 03:08:41 UTC 2025: ## Goa Temple Stampede Kills Six, Injures Dozens
**Panaji, Goa –** A devastating stampede at the annual Lairai Jatra festival in Shirgaon village, North Goa, early Saturday morning, May 3, 2025, left six people dead and over 65 injured. Thousands of devotees from across Goa and Maharashtra had gathered for the festival at the Shree Lairai Devi temple.
The incident occurred around 3:30 a.m., according to Assistant Sub-Inspector Arun Desai of the Bicholim Police Station. He stated that the sheer volume of attendees overwhelmed police efforts at crowd control, and the stampede may have been triggered by a fall, causing a chain reaction. Victims range from children to senior citizens, with injuries varying in severity. The injured are receiving treatment at hospitals in Ponda, Asilo, Mapusa, and Bambolim.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the injured at North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa, expressing deep sorrow and announcing a full inquiry into the incident. He assured all possible support to affected families and pledged to implement measures to prevent future occurrences at temple festivals. President Droupadi Murmu also expressed her condolences and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.
The BJP’s Goa unit president, Damodar Naik, confirmed that the Prime Minister’s Office is monitoring the situation and that the central government has offered assistance. Opposition parties, including the Congress and the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), offered condolences and called for investigations into the incident, demanding accountability and financial aid for victims. The Congress also urged improved safety and crowd management measures for the remainder of the festival.
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