On Saturday, a tragic stampede during the annual Lairai Devi temple festivities in Shirgao village, North Goa, resulted in the deaths of at least six devotees and injuries to more than 30.
The incident occurred during the early morning hours when tens of thousands gathered to participate in the Shri Lairai Yatra.
PM Modi Offers Condolences & Support
Reacting swiftly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow through a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
“Saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede in Shirgao, Goa. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected,” the PMO said.
Saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede in Shirgao, Goa. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 3, 2025
PM Modi also spoke directly with Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to assess the situation and assured the full support of the Central Government during this challenging time.
CM Sawant Visits Victims; Assures Relief
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the injured at the hospital and posted an update on X, stating, “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 taken.
Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji spoke with me and took detailed stock of the situation, offering his full support during this difficult time.”
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
Emergency Measures In Place
Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane confirmed that hospitals across the state, including Goa Medical College (GMC), are on high alert.
Additional staff and resources have been deployed to handle the emergency effectively.
Rane reassured the public that the medical infrastructure has been strengthened to support the injured.
Ancient Ritual Draws Huge Crowds
The Shri Lairai Yatra is a revered religious tradition that draws over 50,000 devotees annually.
A key feature is the fire-walking ritual performed by barefoot devotees known as ‘dhonds’.
Unfortunately, this year’s event turned fatal due to an unexpected crowd surge.
Preliminary Findings Indicate Overcrowding
Initial reports suggest that poor crowd control and an uneven, sloped stretch of the path may have contributed to the chaos.
As the crowd pushed forward, many people were caught in a deadly crush, triggering panic and casualties.
Authorities are expected to conduct a full investigation into the cause of the stampede and reassess future crowd management plans for large-scale religious gatherings to prevent such tragedies.
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