An Electric Shock, Then Sudden Rush? What Caused Fatal Stampede At Goa Temple

Panaji:

A stampede claimed at least six lives and left dozens injured at a temple in the sea town of Goa last night. The accident took place at a huge congregation at the Shirgaon temple. The followers were attending an annual procession when panic suddenly gripped the crowd, triggering a rush. Eyewitnesses described a pandemonium of sorts at the temple when disaster struck.

Lairai Jatra

The Shirgaon temple was filled to capacity with devotees for the Lairai Devi jatra, the procession of Goddess Lairai and her siblings, which takes place every year in April or May. Lairai, who is said to be an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, is one of the seven sister goddesses in Goan mythology. The festival attracts a large number of devotees from all over Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

A sophisticated security plan was devised for the big event last evening in collaboration with the temple committee.

More than a thousand police personnel were stationed at the temple, including a DSP-level officer. Dozens of other high-ranking officers and hundreds of constables and women police personnel were included in the security setup. Some officers were in plain clothes to avoid pickpocketing.

The Reserve Police Force of Goa was also present on the ground. To facilitate smooth traffic, more than 300 traffic police personnel were deployed. Drone surveillance was also used by the police to monitor the crowd. A Vajra Van, a riot control van, was also in standby position.

What Led To Stampede

Midnight images captured a group of devotees around a massive fire at the temple for a ritual that entails sitting near the fire and wishing. Devotees wish that their wishes would be fulfilled if they engage in the ritual. Others even tread on coals for a ritual referred to as ‘agnidivya’. Whether people were engaging in the ritual or not at the time of the stampede is not known.

It was approximately 4-4:30 am that a sudden stampede was observed in the crowd. Panic was spread and a scene of utter chaos was created as devotees began pushing and shoving each other to flee, as the eyewitnesses described. Overcrowding and inadequate crowd control were initial reports suggested as the reasons for the rush.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told a sudden electric shock is alleged to have created panic among the crowd. However, the cause remains unknown until now.

The emergency services were alerted. The police moved to the spot of the stampede and initiated rescue efforts. A minimum of six people, including one 17-year-old boy, were killed in the stampede and 50 were seriously injured. The injured were hospitalized.

Authorities’ Response

Mr Sawant informed that the injured have been admitted to the Goa Medical College and North Goa District Hospital. More teams of doctors were sent to these two hospitals. The Chief Minister visited the injured at the hospital and is keeping an eye on the situation.

All the steps that are needed, he assured, and informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a detailed note of the situation.

PM Modi also sent condolences and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

“Saddened by the loss of lives caused by a stampede in Shirgao, Goa. Condolences to all who lost their loved ones. Speedy recovery to the injured. The local administration is working to help those affected,” stated the Prime Minister.

A 24/7 helpline has been started; for medical emergencies, one can dial 104, informed Goa health minister Vishwajit Rane. Goa Medical College and other district hospitals are fully equipped, and 10 advanced ambulances have been deployed, he said.