Goa festival turns deadly: Stampede claims six lives in Shirgao

A stampede during the Shree Lairai Zatra festival on May 3 in Shirgao village, Bicholim, Goa, resulted in the deaths of six people and left over 60 others injured.

According to health minister Vishwajit Rane, four of the deceased — two men and two women — were brought dead to the hospital.

Out of the injured, eight are in critical condition, including two who have been intubated and have been shifted to Goa Medical College (GMC) for advanced care.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that medical teams have been deployed at the Bicholim Primary Health Centre, North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa, and GMC in Bambolim to manage the crisis.

Several patients are also receiving care at Asilo Hospital, where 10 were found to have minor injuries. Two people have already been discharged after treatment.

The government responded swiftly, mobilizing emergency services to the scene.

“We dispatched five ambulances through 108 services to the site. Three were stationed at Asilo, and three more kept on standby until the situation stabilized,” said Rane.

He also said that the health department is on high alert, with nodal officers appointed at GMC and Asilo to monitor the situation and ensure timely updates.

“We are closely monitoring each patient’s condition,” he added.

The victims who died in the chaos have been identified as Surya Mayekar from Sakhali, Pratibha Kalangutkar from Kumbharjua, Yeshwant Kerkar from Thivim, Sagar Nandarge of Mathwada in Piligao, and Aditya and Tanuja Kauthankar, both residents of Auchit Wada in Thivim.

The exact reason behind the stampede is still under investigation. Authorities continue to assess the circumstances surrounding the event.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi contacted CM Sawant to express concern and promised all necessary support.