Goa’s Shirgao village was the scene of tragedy on Sunday morning when a fatal stampede took place at the iconic Lairai Devi Temple. Thousands of worshipers had converged there to witness the annual fire-walking ritual of “Homkhan.” The panic and crowding brought on by this influx led to a spontaneous stampede that took the lives of six people and left over 30 injured.
Massive Turnout Turns Fatal
The Lairai Devi festival is among the most sought-after religious festivals in Goa, attracting followers not just from all over the state but also from the surrounding Maharashtra and Karnataka. This year’s attendance was even greater than anticipated. As early as 4 a.m., when people hurried to witness or participate in the fire-walking ceremony, traffic around the temple entrance grew worse. Without adequate crowd control, the dense crowd soon descended into pandemonium.
Security Forces Fail to Keep Crowd in Check
Witnesses stated that there were no barricades and insufficient police deployment despite advance warnings of overcrowding. With the growing crowd, a sudden surge from one side made individuals stumble and collapse, which triggered a chain reaction. Many pilgrims were crushed in the stampede. Emergency responders took their time reaching the location because of the narrow access roads and sheer numbers.
Local police and volunteers later took control of the situation and helped the injured. The injured were taken immediately to nearby hospitals in Mapusa and Panaji. The state government has assured that the injured are being treated and arrangements are being made for further treatment where necessary.
Government Announces Probe, Compensation
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant condoled and promised stern action. “It’s a sad accident. “We have directed a high-level inquiry to find out what led to the mishap,” he stated. The state government has declared an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh to the families of the dead and also provided free treatment to the injured.
Questions Raised Over crowd Management
The tragedy has raised concerns regarding the readiness of the police and district administration in managing large religious events. Citizens and opposition politicians are demanding improved planning and safety measures to avoid such incidents in the future.
As the probe gets underway, the tragedy at Lairai Devi Temple also highlights the risks of overcrowding and haphazard management during large gatherings.
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