File photo of the Shri Lairai Zatra
Panaji: The Goa government cancelled all state-supported festive programmes for three days, effective today, after a stampede at the Shri Lairai Devi Temple in Shirgao village, North Goa, killed six people and injured over 30 during the annual Lairai Zatra festival. “All government-supported festive programmes and public celebrations… be cancelled or postponed,” stated Shreyas D’Silva, Under Secretary of the General Administration Department, in a notification expressing condolences. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who visited the site, called it “the first time a stampede incident has taken place in Goa” and ordered a magisterial inquiry, assuring a public report.
The stampede struck around 3:30–4:00 a.m. on May 3, 2025, during the Shri Lairai Zatra in Shirgao, 40 km from Panaji, as 30,000–50,000 devotees gathered for fire-walking rituals. North Goa Superintendent of Police Akshat Kaushal reported, “We are still trying to determine the exact cause… the stampede might have happened due to some people spreading rumours.” He noted 400 police personnel struggled to evacuate over 50,000 attendees, with the incident confined to a slippery slope where “40 to 50 people fell,” per Director General of Police Alok Kumar. Maem MLA Premendra Shet confirmed devotees “fell on top of others” in a narrow lane, triggering chaos. Assistant Sub-Inspector Arun Desai added, “It was so overwhelming for the police staff to handle the crowd as it increased as the day progressed.”
Six deaths were confirmed, with victims identified as Surya Mayekar, Pratibha Kalangutkar, Yeshwant Kerkar, Sagar Nandarge, Aditya Kauthankar, and Tanuja Kauthankar. Health Minister Vishwajit Rane reported, “A total of 30 casualties… 8 critical patients, including 2 intubated cases, have been referred to GMC… 4 (2 male, 2 female) were brought in dead.” He added, “Additional doctors have been roped in, and a dedicated ICU with ventilators has been set up… GMC and Health services, including 108, have been instructed to remain on high alert.” Some sources cite seven deaths and up to 80 injuries, with 10 critical cases at Goa Medical College (GMC), North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa, and Bicholim Primary Health Centre. Ten ambulances and a 24/7 helpline (104) were deployed, with nodal officers at GMC and Asilo Hospital coordinating care.
Sawant, who visited GMC and Mapusa hospitals, stated, “Six people died in the stampede, and over 50 people have been injured… I went to the community health centre where the bodies of 2 have been kept. The injured are being treated well.” He noted, “PM Modi [Prime Minister Narendra Modi] called me and enquired about the incident. He also assured to provide assistance from the Centre.” Goa Bharatiya Janata Party president Damu Naik said, “Investigation is ongoing and will reveal the cause in an appropriate time. I express my condolences.” Union Minister Shripad Yesso Naik, visiting GMC, remarked, “I have been seeing (Lairai) Zatra happen since childhood, but we have never seen any such incident… three seem critical, but they are recovering.”
The inquiry will probe crowd management, the slope’s role, and unconfirmed rumours, with police dismissing electric shock claims.
National leaders expressed grief. President Droupadi Murmu posted on X, “Sad to know about the unfortunate incident of a stampede in Shirgao, Goa, which claimed several lives. I extend my condolences.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote, “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.” Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi and Goa Congress in-charge Manikrao Thakre mourned the loss, with the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee urging better crowd management for the festival’s remaining days.
The Shri Lairai Zatra, starting May 2, 2025, draws devotees from Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka to honour Goddess Lairai, a form of Parvati, with rituals like walking over burning embers. Over 1,000 police and drones were deployed, but the crowd of 50,000+ overwhelmed the narrow lanes. A video showed devotees pushing, with police struggling, highlighting crowd control challenges. Emergency teams evacuated the injured by 4 a.m., with hospitals on red alert.
The stampede, a rare tragedy in Goa, exposes vulnerabilities in managing large festivals. The inquiry’s findings are expected to guide safety measures. As Shirgao mourns, the three-day event cancellation underscores a collective pause to honour the deceased, with hospitals prioritising critical cases.
– global bihari bureau
