What led to stampede at Goa's Lairai Devi temple? Six people killed; collector, SP shunted out – 5 points to know

Goa temple stampede: In a tragic turn of events, at least six people died, and over 70 others were injured after a stampede at wee hours of Saturday in Shirgaon village in North Goa's Bicholim, during the annual Lairai Jatra procession at Shree Lairai Devi temple.

Hours after the incident, the Goa government set up a fact finding inquiry committee to investigate the stampede, and asked for a report within 48 hours. The state government also ordered the transfer of five senior officials, including the North Goa collector and the superintendent of police.

The Lairai Devi temple president said that an electric shock might have led to the stampede. Here's what happened:

1. Details of the Goa temple stampede

The stampede occurred around 3 am on Saturday at the Sree Lairai Devi temple in Shirgaon village, which is roughly 40 km from Panaji. The chaos broke out when thousands of devotees packed into the narrow lanes leading to the temple for the annual festival, overwhelming the area and triggering panic.

2. What led to the stampede?

Lairai Devi temple President, Dinanath Gaonkar, hinted that chaos ensued after one devotee touched a light bulb with his cane stick, got an electric shock, and fell onto others nearby, according to a news agency ANI report.

“People in the crowd were pushing each other to get ahead in the crowd... Many of us villagers tried to stop them and resolve the issue. But these people were just not ready to listen to us. During this, some people went to a shop here, during which one person's beth (cane stick) touched a bulb, and he suffered an electric shock. He fell on other people, and that's how the stampede started,” ANI quoted Gaonkar as saying.

3. How many injured?

Six persons including two women were killed and more than 70 sustained injuries after the stampede. Five of them were on ventilator support, while the remaining were in a specially-created emergency ward at the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC).

Approximately 50,000 to 70,000 devotees, or Dhonds (followers of Lairai Devi goddess) had gathered for the procession, Lairai Devi temple President told PTI.

Director General of Police Alok Kumar, said that the devotees were standing on a slope, and 50 people fell on it, confining the stampede to that spot.

4. Fact finding committee set up; Goa CM orders magisterial probe

The Goa government has constituted a fact finding inquiry committee to investigate the stampede, and has ordered the committee to submit its report within 48 hours. 

Earlier in the day, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said a magisterial inquiry will be instituted to investigate the incident.

5. North Goa collector, SP transferred

The Goa government transferred District Collector Sneha Gitte, Superintendent of Police (North) Akshat Kaushal, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Bicholim) Jivba Dalvi, Deputy Collector (Bicholim) Bhimnath Khorjuvekar and Police Inspector Dinesh Gadekar with immediate effect, hours after the stampede.

(with inputs from PTI, ANI)