Panjim: At least six people were killed and about 80 others were injured in a stampede during a Hindu religious event in Goa, according to reports from Kashmir Media Service. The incident took place early in the morning during the Shree Devi Lairai Jatra festival in Shirgao village.

Authorities reported that the stampede occurred between 4:00 am and 5:00 am. The festival, which draws large crowds each year, became chaotic, leading to the tragic incident.

V.S. Chadonkar, a police officer based in Panjim, stated that the stampede was triggered by the frenzy during the religious rituals. “Devotees were witnessing a religious ceremony and the frenzy caused during the rituals triggered a stampede,” Chadonkar explained.

India has seen similar incidents during large religious gatherings, where crowd management and safety measures are frequently found lacking. The Shree Devi Lairai Jatra festival, like many others, attracts thousands, making crowd control challenging.

Officials are now facing scrutiny over the adequacy of the safety arrangements at the event. The state of Goa, ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is expected to address these concerns in the coming days.