Six killed, dozens injured in India temple stampede

NEW DELHI: At least six people were killed and dozens others were injured in a stampede at an Indian temple in the western coastal state of Goa where hundreds of devout Hindus had assembled, police official said on Saturday.

The stampede occurred on Friday night during the annual Shri Lairai Zatra festival in Shirgao village, which is popular for its events including fire-walking.

"Devotees were witnessing a religious ceremony and the frenzy caused during the rituals triggered a stampede," said VS Chadonkar, a police officer in Goa's state capital Panjim.

"Six people lost their lives and at least eight were critically injured," he said.

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 Saturday morning.

"Six people died even before they could be brought to the hospital," Sawant told reporters.

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

Vishwajit Rane, Goa state 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".

Stampedes during large Hindu religious gatherings are routinely reported in India, as huge crowds gather in tight spaces often ignoring safety protocol.

Earlier this year, 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.

—With additional input from AFP