Goa Temple Stampede: 6 Killed in Tragic Stampede During Larai Devi Yatra, Security Measures Under Scrutiny

Goa Temple Stampede:  A devastating stampede happened at the Larai Devi Temple in Shirgaon, Goa, killing six and wounding more. The incident occurred during the annual Larai Devi Yatra, a religious procession held in April or May that attracts a large number of devotees from Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. Larai Devi is recognized as a manifestation of Goddess Parvati, and the yatra is an important spiritual event for many people. During the event, panic spread across the crowd, which led to a sudden stampede.

Stampede Raises Security Concerns

In preparation for the massive crowd, the local authority worked with the temple committee to implement tight security measures. To avoid theft, over a thousand police officers were deployed, including Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP) and plainclothes policemen. The Goa Reserve Police Force, as well as around 300 traffic police officials, were stationed to oversee security and traffic. The crowd was also monitored using surveillance drones. Despite these attempts, the terrible stampede raised concerns about the difficulties of handling large crowds.