Goa temple stampede: Government cancels all state-supported events for next 3 days

PANAJI: In the wake of a stampede during a temple festival that claimed six lives and injured over 60 people, the Goa government on Saturday announced the cancellation of all state-supported events and public celebrations for the next three days.
"In view of the tragic stampede incident that occurred during the Shree Devi Lairai Zatra at Shirgao, and as an expression of condolences to the departed and their families, the Government of Goa directs that all Government- supported festive programmes and public celebrations scheduled over the next three days be cancelled or postponed," a circular issued by Shreyas D'Silva, Under Secretary of General Administration Department, stated.
"All Heads of Departments, Government Corporations and Autonomous Bodies are hereby instructed to ensure strict compliance with this directive," the circular reads.
The stampede occurred in the early hours of Saturday at a temple in Shirgao village, located in North Goa, officials confirmed.
According to police, thousands of devotees had gathered in the narrow lanes surrounding the temple for the annual festival, leading to overcrowding and chaos that eventually triggered the deadly stampede.
"At least 30,000 to 40,000 people had gathered for the festival, and some were standing on a slope. A few persons fell on the slope, causing others to tumble on each other," said director general of police Alok Kumar.
Kumar said 40 to 50 people fell on the slope.
Names of victims
The six deceased have been identified as Surya Mayekar (Sakhali, Bicholim), Pratibha Kalangutkar (Kumbharjua), Yeshwant Kerkar (Thivim), Sagar Nandarge (Mathwada, Piligao), and Aditya and Tanuja Kauthankar (Auchit Wada, Thivim). Health minister Vishwajit Rane confirmed that four victims — two men and two women — were brought dead to the hospital.