New Delhi, May 3, 2025: At least six people were killed and 55 others injured in a stampede during a major Hindu religious festival in the western Indian state of Goa, police confirmed on Saturday.
The incident occurred late Friday night during the annual Shri Lairai Zatra festival in Shirgao village, a popular event that draws thousands of devotees and is known for its intense rituals, 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 based in Goa’s capital, Panjim.
Among the injured, eight people are in critical condition, officials said.
Mass gatherings at religious festivals in India often see overcrowding, and stampedes are a recurring tragedy, largely due to poor crowd management and lax safety protocols in high-density areas.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the incident, and additional security measures are expected for upcoming religious events in the region.
