Goa temple stampede: CM Sawant orders probe into incident after six dead, 75 injured

CM Sawant visited the site of the stampede just hours after the incident, File Pic

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has announced a detailed inquiry into the tragic stampede that claimed six lives and left at least 75 others injured, reported the PTI.

The incident occurred early hours of Saturday morning at the Sree Lairai Devi Temple in Shirgao village, North Goa at around 3 am during the annual Lairai Zatra festival.

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According to the PTI, CM Sawant visited the site of the stampede just hours after the incident.

Addressing the press, he said, "I have asked for a detailed inquiry into the incident. The report will be made public."

Sawant added that future temple festivals across the state would see more precautionary measures to prevent such tragedies.

After the news of the stampede, CM Sawant also visited the North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa to check on the injured. He later tweeted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences and full support to the state government.

Health Minister Vishwajit Rane confirmed that 75 people were treated across various government healthcare facilities in the state.

As per the latest reports, 75 patients have been admitted to various government facility centres, including Asilo Hospital in Mapusa, Community Health Centres (CHC) in Bicholim and Sankhali, and the Goa Medical College (GMC)," he said in a statement, according to the PTI.

Of the injured, at least 18 patients were admitted to Asilo Hospital, three are under observation at CHC Bicholim, and one is receiving care at CHC Sankhali.

"Sadly, six people were brought in dead, including two women, at Asilo Hospital and two at CHC Bicholim," Rane added.

The health minister praised the swift response of emergency teams at rescuing the affected people at the site.

"First responders from CHCs acted quickly to stabilize the injured. Ten ALS (Advanced Life Support) ambulances were deployed, and patients needing specialised care were referred to GMC, which remains on high alert," he said, as per the PTI.

Thousands of devotees from Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka had gathered at the Sree Lairai Devi Temple for the annual festival. The exact cause of the incident is yet to be determined for which the investigations were underway.

Meanwhile, BJP Goa unit president Damodar Naik said that the Prime Minister's Office is personally monitoring the situation. Speaking outside Goa Medical College and Hospital, Naik mentioned that six patients at the facility remain in critical condition.

The opposition Congress party extended its condolences to the victims and their families. The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) called for a thorough probe to fix the situation and asked the government to ensure such incidents do not recur.

The state government has assured that all necessary steps are being taken to support the victims and their families, and the findings of the inquiry will be made public to maintain transparency.

(With inputs from PTI)