 "7 killed, 30 injured as stampede erupts at Lairai Devi temple in Goa's north")
At least seven people were killed and over 30 injured after a stampede broke out at the Lairai Devi temple in Goa on Saturday. According to ANI, the injured were admitted to the Goa Medical College (GMC) and the North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa for treatment. Following the incident, Goa’s Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant, visited the North Goa District Hospital to take stock of the situation.
Earlier in the day, the Goa CM also paid a visit to the Bicholim hospital. Sawant shared a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, expressing condolences to the families of the victims. In the post, he detailed what had happened and said that he is personally monitoring the situation.
“Deeply saddened by the tragic stampede at the Lairai Zatra in Shirgaon this morning. I visited the hospital to meet the injured and assured all possible support to the affected families. I am personally monitoring the situation to ensure that every necessary measure is being taken,” the Goa CM wrote in the post. “Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji spoke with me and took detailed stock of the situation, offering his full support during this difficult time,” he added.
Deeply saddened by the tragic stampede at the Lairai Zatra in Shirgaon this morning. I visited the hospital to meet the injured and have assured all possible support to the affected families. I am personally monitoring the situation to ensure that every necessary measure is being…
— Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) May 3, 2025
About the event
The authorities are yet to release further details about the cause of the stampede or the identities of the victims.
It is pertinent to note that Shri Lairai Zatra is a deeply revered annual festival celebrated at the Shri Lairai Devi Temple in Goa’s Shirgao. Devotees from across the state and beyond gather to honour Goddess Lairai, who is believed to be a form of Goddess Parvati.
One of the highlights of the festival is the Dhondachi zatra, during which thousands of devotees walk across burning embers barefoot. The festival also features a procession of the deity. Thousands of devotees and visitors take part in the celebration to seek the blessings of the goddess.
With inputs from ANI.
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
