Goa stampede: ‘Some people spreading rumours…,' here's what North Goa SP said about accident
At least six people lost their lives and 55 others were injured in a stampede at a temple in Goa, where hundreds of Hindu devotees had gathered, a police official reported on Saturday.
The stampede occurred on Friday night during the annual Lairai Devi Jatra at the Shirgao temple in Goa's Shirgao village, a festival renowned for its traditional fire-walking rituals. The tragic incident led to six fatalities and left more than 50 people injured.
Speaking on the Shirgao stampede, North Goa SP Akshat Kaushal said that the police are still trying to determine the exact cause of the incident.
The biggest challenge for us was to peacefully vacate more than 50,000 people.
He told ANI, 'However, we have been told that the stampede might have happened due to some people spreading rumours... The biggest challenge for us was to peacefully vacate more than 50,000 people who were inside the temple for the (Larai) Zatra. Around 400 police personnel were deployed here for the Zatra. This is the first time something like this has happened on this occasion.'
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced an inquiry into the Sree Lairai Devi Temple stampede, PTI reported. Sawant also visited the Goa Medical College (GMC), where some injured persons in the Shirgao stampede are being treated.
Speaking about the incident, Pramod Sawant said, "Six people died in the stampede, and over 50 people have been injured. After getting the information, I went to the spot. The injured are being treated in the hospital...More than 50,000 people participate in the Jatra every year. This is an unfortunate incident. PM Modi called me and enquired about the incident. He also assured to provide assistance from the Centre.
(This is a developing story)
Key Takeaways Crowd management is crucial during large events to prevent tragedies.
Misinformation can exacerbate panic and chaos in emergency situations.
Adequate police presence and planning are vital for ensuring public safety.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
16 minutes ago
- Mint
Explosives used without alert ahead of Yogi Adityanath's Bahraich visit. BJP MLA flags ‘serious security lapse'
Two days ahead of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's proposed visit to Bahraich, a company authorised by the Union Petroleum Ministry allegedly used large quantity of explosives for drilling without informing the local administration, officials said. Local BJP MLA Surveshvar Singh termed the incident a 'serious security lapse' and demanded cancellation of the chief minister's visit. Sub-Divisional Magistrate Alok Prasad told news agency PTI that Alpha Geo India Limited was assigned the task of drilling and surveying for oil and gas deposits by the Petroleum Ministry. The firm used ammonium nitrate explosives for the survey. Though the company was carrying out government-sanctioned work, it failed to follow the standard operating procedures (SOP) and did not inform the local administration, he said. This caused panic among villagers and resentment among the public representatives. Upon receiving information, police and administrative staff reached the site and initiated an inquiry, the SDM added. He said that around 200 employees of the company were working in different shifts across multiple villages, most of whom are from West Bengal and face a language barrier with the locals. To ensure their safety amid growing tension, all employees were brought to the Hardi police station, he added. Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Durga Prasad Tiwari said the company had drilled up to 30 metres underground using ammonium nitrate without prior intimation to villagers or authorities. "Today, around 50-60 employees deployed on the field were called to the police station for questioning. No one has been detained so far. The decision on filing an FIR will be taken after further inquiry," he said. Raising alarm, Mahsi MLA Sureshvar Singh said with the chief minister scheduled to visit on Tuesday, the presence of hundreds of outsiders and 500 kilograms of explosives in the district is highly concerning. "Intelligence reports have warned of possible infiltration by 47 terrorists through the Indo-Nepal border. Imagine the security risk at an event where the chief minister and possibly the Prime Minister will be present, commemorating Maharaja Suheldev, he said. The MLA said he had spoken to the state's Principal Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad and urged him to cancel the chief minister's visit until the matter is fully resolved. This is a serious security lapse. Kuldeep Sharma, a representative of Alpha Geo India Limited, admitted to the lapse. "We had informed the concerned authorities back in February. However, we should have informed them again before commencing work involving explosives. Since today was Sunday, we proceeded without intimation, which was a mistake," he told the news agency PTI.
India Gazette
32 minutes ago
- India Gazette
"Rahul Gandhi's article is not against anyone." Maharashtra Congress chief
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 9 (ANI): Maharashtra Congress President Harshwardhan Vasantrao Sapkal came in defence of Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi over the latter's remarks regarding the alleged 'rigging' of the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections and said that he has only introduced facts about the Election Commission's data before the people. 'Rahul Gandhi has not written any article against the BJP. Rahul Gandhi's article is not against anyone. He has some facts about the data of the Election Commission, and through his article, he has kept the same data among the people,' Sapkal told ANI. He attacked Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. 'Jo iske laabharti karke jo sarkar bani hai, uske jo Mukhyemantri hai, vo election commission ka bachav kar rahe hai (The Chief Minister, who is the beneficiary of this government that has been formed by cheating, is defending the election commission,' Sapkal alleged. 'Why are they defending the election commission? Are you the assigned lawyer of the Election Commission? The election commission must answer these questions,' he added. On Sunday, Fadnavis launched a scathing attack against Gandhi for allegations against the EC, accusing him of consistently misunderstanding the country's mood and misplacing blame. Speaking to mediapersons in Hindi, Fadnavis said, 'Ta-umr Rahul Gandhi aap yahi galti karte rahe, dhool chehre pe thi aur aap aina saaf karte rahe (Throughout your life, Rahul Gandhi, you have always made the same mistake; the dust was on your face, but you kept cleaning the mirror).' The BJP has come down heavily on Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, following his recent remarks on the elections, with Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha saying, 'A leader of the opposition who uses such language is not fit to hold that post.' He also criticised Gandhi for raising doubts regarding constitutional institutions. Sinha reached Ayodhya for a two-day program on Sunday and said, 'They carry the Constitution book in hand and yet raise doubts about constitutional institutions. This reflects their mindset. They do not truly believe in the Constitution or its institutions. An opposition leader who uses such language is not fit to hold that post.' This comes after Gandhi alleged that the Maharashtra assembly election held in November 2024 was 'rigged' and claimed the same could happen in the upcoming Bihar assembly polls. In a post on X, Gandhi shared his article published in a newspaper, explaining the 'rigging' in the Maharashtra assembly polls. 'Maharashtra assembly elections in 2024 were a blueprint for rigging democracy. My article shows how this happened, step by step,' Gandhi said. The former Congress President explained a five-point process. He said that step one includes rigging the panel that appoints the Election Commission and adding fake voters to the electoral roll. He further claimed that the following steps include inflating the voter turnout, targeting the bogus voting exactly where the BJP needs to win and hiding the evidence. 'Step 1: Rig the panel for appointing the Election Commission; Step 2: Add fake voters to the roll; Step 3: Inflate voter turnout; Step 4: Target the bogus voting exactly where the BJP needs to win; Step 5: Hide the evidence,' Gandhi said. He further labelled rigging as 'match-fixing', saying that the side cheats might win the game but damage institutions and destroy public faith in the result. 'It's not hard to see why the BJP was so desperate in Maharashtra. But rigging is like match-fixing. The side that cheats might win the game, but (it) will damage institutions and destroy public faith in the result. All concerned Indians must see the evidence. Judge for themselves. Demand answers,' the Rae Bareli MP said. Gandhi warned that the 'match-fixing' of Maharashtra would come to Bihar next, where the polls are due later this year, and then 'anywhere' the BJP was losing elections. 'Match-fixed elections are a poison for any democracy,' he added. (ANI)
India Gazette
32 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Two died after fire breaks out at Delhi's Dilshad Garden
ANI 09 Jun 2025, 04:01 GMT+10 New Delhi [India], June 9 (ANI): Two people, including a 24-year-old man, were killed after a fire broke out in Delhi's Dilshad Garden, a fire official said late Sunday. The fire broke out at the Kodi colony. According to Fire Officer Anup Singh, they received a call regarding the fire at 11:32 pm on Sunday. 'We reached the spot and carried out the firefighting operations. After dousing the fire, it was found that two e-rickshaws and motorcycles were gutted in the fire. Two people also lost their lives in the fire incident,' Singh said. Among the dead, one was 24 years old, and the other was 60 years old. The charging of the e-rickshaws seems to have caused the fire,' the officer added. Further investigation is underway, he added. Earlier on Friday, a fire broke out at an e-rickshaw charging station in the Ghonda area of northeast Delhi, prompting a swift response from the Delhi Fire Services (DFS). Four fire engines were immediately dispatched to the scene to control the blaze, DFS officials confirmed. The incident was reported in the afternoon, with emergency teams working to douse the flames. (ANI)
