Six people were crushed to death at a Hindu temple in India’s coastal state of Goa, officials reported on Saturday, after thousands congregated for a popular fire-walking ritual. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant issued a statement expressing his “deep sadness at the tragic stampede” at the Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao village in the early hours of Saturday morning.
“Six people died even before they could be brought to the hospital,” Sawant informed reporters. He visited the hospital and assured that “all possible support” would be extended to the families of those killed or injured. Goa state health minister Vishwajit Rane stated that “approximately 80” people sustained injuries. “Five are critical and on ventilator support, while the remaining are being treated in the specially created emergency ward,” he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office conveyed “condolences to those who lost their loved ones.” The Lairai Zatra is a significant Hindu celebration in Goa, prominently featuring a fire-walking ceremony. Deadly stampedes are a tragically common occurrence at Indian religious festivals. Earlier this year, at least 30 people died in an early morning crush at the Kumbh Mela, a major Hindu festival held in the northern city of Prayagraj.
