Six Dead, Dozens Injured in Stampede at Indian Festival

Large religious festivals in India often attract crowds that number in the thousands.

Many people travel long distances to attend. The energy is high, space is tight, and safety can quickly become an issue. Sometimes, that leads to tragedy.

On Friday night, during a major Hindu festival in the village of Shirgao in Goa, a deadly stampede broke out, reports Ukrinform.

At least six people lost their lives. Another 55 were injured. Eight of them are in serious condition.

The incident happened during the annual Shri Lairai Zatra festival. This celebration is known for its fire-walking ritual.

Each year, it draws large crowds from across the region. According to the police, the stampede started during a ceremony when the crowd became too excited and started pushing forward.

V.S. Chadonkar, a police officer in Goa’s capital Panjim, confirmed the number of casualties.

He said that people were watching the religious ceremony when the pushing started. In the chaos, several were crushed or trampled.

India has seen several similar tragedies in the past. Stampedes are unfortunately common at large religious events.

Many of these festivals take place in small or rural areas where there is limited space.

There are usually not enough exits or crowd control measures in place. When something triggers panic or excitement, it can lead to disaster.

Earlier this year, other stampede incidents were reported during religious gatherings.

In January, several people died at the Maha Kumbh Mela festival while bathing in the river.

Back in 2022, 18 people were killed in a stampede at a crowded train station in the capital, Delhi.

Authorities are now investigating what went wrong at the festival in Shirgao.

Locals say the crowd had been growing throughout the day. Many arrived early to get a good view of the rituals.

Police are now reviewing video footage and speaking to witnesses.

The state government has promised support for the families affected.