What led to Goa stampede? At 4 am, sudden panic spread, devotees began to jostle and push
A religious gathering in Goa turned tragic early Friday morning after a stampede broke out at a temple in Shirgao, claiming the lives of six devotees and injuring over 50 others.
The incident occurred between 4-4:30 am during a midnight ritual where hundreds of devotees had assembled around a large fire, taking part in a traditional ceremony believed to fulfill wishes.
Pictures show some participants reportedly walked on embers as part of the custom. It remains unclear if the ritual was underway at the exact moment of the stampede.
Eyewitnesses described a sudden commotion as panic spread through the overcrowded venue. Devotees began to jostle and push in an attempt to flee the area. Initial reports point to a lack of crowd control and excessive congestion as contributing factors.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated that a possible electric shock may have triggered the panic, though the precise cause has yet to be confirmed, reports NDTV.
#WATCH | On the stampede at the Lairai Jatra in Shirgao, Goa CM Pramod Sawant says "The unfortunate stampede incident took place today at around 4-5 AM. This is the first time a stampede incident has taken place in Goa. I have reached the spot right now. I met the injured at… pic.twitter.com/AiSTXQCQiz
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2025
Emergency services were immediately dispatched to the site. Rescue operations were carried out by police and disaster response teams. The injured were rushed to Goa Medical College and the North Goa District Hospital, where additional medical staff were deployed to handle the influx.
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.
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.”
Authorities are investigating the incident to determine the exact sequence of events and identify lapses in crowd management.
