India: At least six people were killed and more than 50 others injured after a stampede broke out during the annual Lairai Devi jatra (procession) at a temple in Goa’s Shirgaon early Saturday.
The incident took place at the Sree Devi Lairai temple — around 40 kilometres away from state capital Panaji — when panic spread during the large religious gathering, causing a sudden rush among thousands of devotees. Witnesses said there were chaotic scenes as people struggled to escape the dense crowd.
The injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Authorities are yet to confirm the exact cause of the stampede, but preliminary reports suggest it took place due to overcrowding and a lack of crowd control measures.
