Goa Temple Stampede Prompts Safety Probe, Festival Ban

A stampede at the Sree Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao, North Goa, during the annual Lairai Jatra festival resulted in six deaths and over 70 injuries, with several people in critical condition. Authorities had previously advised the temple committee to implement safety measures like CCTV cameras and barricades, but many were not enacted. The tragedy, possibly triggered by a fight between devotees amid overcrowding, has led to immediate compensation for victims and the transfer of several senior officials to ensure a fair investigation. The Goa government has formed a fact-finding committee and ordered a magisterial inquiry, promising transparency and improved safety at future events. The Governor and Chief Minister visited victims and bereaved families, while other festivals in the state have been cancelled in mourning. Investigations into inadequate crowd control and other causes are ongoing.