Stampede at Goa’s Lairai Zatra
A spiritual gathering turned tragic in the early hours of Saturday at the revered Lairai Devi Temple in Shirgao, Goa, as a sudden stampede broke out during the annual Zatra festival. With an estimated crowd of 50,000 to 70,000 devotees, known as Dhonds, the temple grounds were packed beyond capacity when panic rippled through the crowd.
Stampede at Goa’s Lairai Zatra
According to temple president and advocate Dinanath Gaonkar, the chaos began when a devotee’s cane sticks accidentally touched an overhead electric bulb at a nearby shop. The man reportedly received an electric shock and collapsed, sparking fear and confusion among the tightly packed worshippers. “People were already pushing to move ahead in the crowd,” Gaonkar said. “When the man fell, others stumbled too, and the stampede started. Despite our efforts to calm the crowd, they just wouldn’t listen.”
Stampede at Goa’s Lairai Zatra
North Goa Superintendent of Police Akshat Kaushal confirmed that over 50,000 people were inside the temple premises at the time. He acknowledged that while the investigation is still underway, there are reports of rumors exacerbating the situation. “This is the first time we’ve witnessed such an incident at the Zatra,” Kaushal said. “The primary concern was ensuring a safe and orderly evacuation, and around 400 police officers were deployed for crowd management.”
Stampede at Goa’s Lairai Zatra
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited Shirgao later that day to assess the situation firsthand. The incident, which occurred around 4 to 5 AM, has raised questions about safety protocols at major religious gatherings.
Authorities continue to probe the incident as the community reels from the unexpected turmoil during what is usually a vibrant and spiritual celebration.
