Panic Erupts at Shirgao Temple Amid Massive Crowd; Goa Government Vows Full Medical Aid for Injured Devotees
PANAJI, Goa May 3: A tragic stampede during the annual Lairai Jatra festival in Shirgao village, North Goa, claimed six lives and left at least 15 others injured early Friday morning. The incident occurred at the Lairai Devi Temple, where thousands of devotees had gathered to participate in the religious procession.
Authorities confirmed the fatalities, and the injured were immediately rushed to Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) and North Goa District Hospital, Mapusa. The sudden crowd surge led to chaos as devotees tripped and fell over each other in the tightly packed temple premises.
Prime Minister Modi Contacts CM Sawant, Offers Central Support
Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant expressed deep sorrow over the incident and assured all possible assistance to affected families. In a public message shared on X (formerly Twitter), he confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken to him personally to review the situation and pledged the Centre’s full support during this difficult time.
“This morning’s stampede during Lairai Jatra at Shirgao is extremely tragic. I visited the hospital to meet the injured and assured all possible help to the affected families. I am personally monitoring the situation,” CM Sawant stated.
“Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji called to take a detailed review and offered full support.”
Massive Devotee Rush Led to Sudden Stampede
According to eyewitnesses, the stampede occurred when the crowd became uncontrollable amid the high influx of pilgrims eager to participate in rituals. The Lairai Jatra, held annually, attracts thousands of devotees, many of whom engage in traditional fire-walking ceremonies. Local police and disaster response teams swiftly responded to the emergency, managing the evacuation and assisting with first aid.
A police investigation is underway to determine the exact cause and sequence of events that led to the deadly surge. Meanwhile, security has been heightened in and around Shirgao to prevent further incidents.
State Government Assures Free Medical Care for Victims
In a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office, it was confirmed that all medical expenses for the injured will be borne by the Goa state government. Officials are also arranging psychological and logistical support for the victims’ families.
The Lairai Jatra tragedy has cast a shadow over Goa’s religious festivities, prompting calls for stricter crowd control measures at large-scale public events. State authorities have committed to reviewing existing protocols to avoid future mishaps.
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- My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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