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Time of India
03-05-2025
- Time of India
Tivim's Kauthankars lose 2 family members at Shirgao
Panaji: When the hearse van screeched outside a cluster of houses at Auchit-Vaddo, Tivim, there were several who crowded the area on Saturday. They were all waiting since morning for a glance at Tanuja Kauthankar and her 16-year-old nephew Aditya, both of whom lost their lives in the stampede at the Lairai Devi Jatra at Shirgao. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Tanuja's body was the first to be taken inside the house. Then, just next door, it was Aditya's turn. The cries all around were unbearable. A few women needed help, fainting at a sight that made it painful to keep their eyes open. Bottles of mineral water kept outside the two houses were quickly emptied. Amidst all this, Tanish Kauthankar stood stone-faced. Tanish was part of the 40-member group from the village that had proceeded to Shirgao for the annual jatra. After prayers at the temple, they were all headed towards the designated area where a massive bonfire is lit and devotees known as 'dhonds' walk barefoot across a bed of embers to seek blessings. Tanish, a dhond himself, was looking forward to the annual ritual but en route he saw the world collapse in front of him. 'I was just behind and saw that she fell first,' Tanish told TOI . 'She got crushed under the weight of everyone falling over her. We had about seven dhonds from this area alone and had gone there with families. There was so much rush that we had to move inside a house for safety.' Tanish and Aditya went to the same school, St Anne's, answered the Class 10 exams together and had both secured admission at Saraswat College, Mapusa. They were to travel together every morning for their higher secondary school classes, but fate had something else in store. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'I just can't believe Aditya's no more. We just could not reach them to help. The ambulance came much later,' he said. Nobody at the ward could believe what they were seeing. The Kauthankars are a closely knit family living in four homes in the ward, travelling to festivals together. The Lairai Devi Jatra was something they looked forward to every year. Aditya's father Ankush and grandfather Vaman are both dhonds, strong believers in the deity. 'My brother and I were at home, my son just escaped,' said Rohidas Kauthankar, whose sister-in-law and nephew lost their lives. 'She was unwell and we had asked her not to go for the jatra but she was determined. They all left at 6pm (on Friday) and were to stay there for five days. But look how they have returned.' Tanuja's daughter Ruthika is also among those injured, her leg fractured. She is bedridden at GMC, yet to be told that her mother is no more. 'This is a result of total mismanagement,' said Arun Shinde, who was among those who gathered outside the two houses with plenty on their minds. 'There were lakhs of people at the Exposition (in Old Goa) but there were plenty of police personnel and dedicated first aid facilities at every step,' he said. 'Here, despite thousands attending, there was neither proper medical services nor police security. It was a mess.' Another neighbour wondered what happened to the promised tight security and the drones that were supposedly deployed for aerial surveillance. 'People have lost their lives. What do you tell their families,' asked a neighbour, unable to come to terms with the fact that those with whom he exchanged smiles just yesterday are gone today.
India Gazette
03-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Goa CM visits Shirgao, directs state administration to conduct inquiry into stampede
Panaji (Goa) [India], May 3 (ANI): Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited Shirgao after a stampede occurred during the Lairai Devi jatra, resulting in six deaths and over 50 injuries. The stampede incident took place on Saturday at around 4-5 AM. Goa Chief Minister directed the state administration to conduct an inquiry into the incident. Sawant said that this is the first such incident in Goa, and added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called to enquire about the situation. Speaking to ANI, Pramod Sawant said, 'The unfortunate stampede incident took place today at around 4-5 AM. This is the first time a stampede incident has taken place in Goa. I have reached the spot right now. I met the injured at different hospitals. Six people died in the incident. I have asked the State administration to conduct an inquiry into the incident... PM Modi called me and enquired about the incident...' Meanwhile, Maem MLA Premendra Shet said that Lairai Devi Jatra has been underway since Friday. The incident took place because of the slippery and sloped area near the temple, causing some devotees to fall and others to be trampled in the chaos. Maem MLA Premendra Shet said, 'Famous Lairai Zatra was underway since 3 am, at a sloppy area, some of the devotees fell on top of the others. A stampede situation occurred...6 people died in the of 4 have been kept at the district hospital in Mapusa, 2 bodies are at the Community Health Centre...4 injured are in critical condition...' President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed grief over the tragic incident of the stampede in Shirgao, Goa, which claimed six lives. (ANI)
United News of India
03-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
President Murmu, PM Modi condole loss of lives in Goa temple stampede
New Delhi, May 3 (UNI) President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday condoled the loss of lives due to a stampede in Shirgao, in Goa. In a post on X, the President of India said, "Sad to know about the unfortunate incident of a stampede in Shirgao, Goa which claimed several lives. I extend my condolences to bereaved family members and pray for quick recovery of the injured". Meanwhile, the PMO India handle in a post on X said, "Saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede in Shirgao, Goa. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected: PM @narendramodi". At least six people were killed and more than 30 injured in a stampede during the annual Lairai Devi Jatra (procession) at a temple in Goa's Shirgao early Saturday. UNI RBE KK
Mint
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
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 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.
