A stampede that occurred during the annual Shri Lairai Zatra festival in Shirgao village, Goa, on Friday night, May 2, has claimed the lives of six people and left 55 people injured.
A police officer in Goa’s state capital Panjim, India, confirmed the development to the press on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
Police officer V.S. Chadonkar, said the stampede was triggered during a religious ceremony when a frenzy broke out among the crowd.
New Delhi, India – At least six people have been reported killed and 55 were injured in a stampede at an Indian temple in the western coastal state of Goa where hundreds of devout Hindus had assembled.
As reported by Reuters, the police official confirmed the development on Saturday, May 3, 2025. According to the police, the stampede occurred on Friday night, May 2, during the annual Shri Lairai Zatra festival in Shirgao village, which is popular for its events including fire-walking.
“Devotees were witnessing a religious ceremony and the frenzy caused during the rituals triggered a stampede,” said V.S. Chadonkar, a police officer in Goa’s state capital Panjim. “Six people lost their lives and at least eight were critically injured,” he said. Stampedes during large Hindu religious gatherings are routinely reported in India, as huge crowds gather in tight spaces often ignoring safety protocol.
116 killed at religious event in India.
Previously reported that a fatal stampede among thousands of people at a religious gathering in northern India has killed around 116 people and left scores injured. As reported by the Associated Press on Tuesday, July 2, many women and children were among the dead.
