Six killed dozens injured in India temple stampede

NEW DELHI – Six people were crushed to death at a Hindu temple in India’s coastal state of Goa, officials said on May 3, after thousands gathered for a popular fire-walking ritual.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said in a statement that he was “deeply saddened by the tragic stampede” at Lairai Devi temple in the village of Shirgao in the early hours of May 3 morning.

“Six people died even before they could be taken to hospital,” Dr Sawant told reporters.

He visited the hospital and said that “all possible support” would be given to the families of those killed or injured.

Mr Vishwajit Rane, Goa state’s health minister, said “approximately 80” people were injured.

“Five are critical and on ventilator support, while the remaining are being treated in the specially created emergency ward,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office expressed “condolences to those who lost their loved ones”.

The Lairai Zatra is a key Hindu celebration in Goa and is marked by a fire-walking ceremony.

Deadly stampedes are notoriously common in Indian religious festivals.

Earlier in 2025, at least 30 people were killed in an early morning crush at the Kumbh Mela, a Hindu mega-festival in the northern city of Prayagraj. AFP

Join STs Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.