"Around 50,000 to 70,000 Individuals Attended" (presumably referring to a particular event) - Statement from Goa Temple's President on Crowd Size.
Panaji's Shri Lairai Devi Temple Stampede: Overcrowding and Mismanagement Pointed Out as Major Causes
The chaos that erupted during the annual Lairai Zatra at Panaji's Shri Lairai Devi temple, claiming several lives and injuring scores, remains a mystery with the exact cause yet to be identified. But it seems that overcrowding and insufficient crowd management may have played a significant role.
According to Lairai Devi temple President, advocate Dinanath Gaonkar, hundreds of thousands of Dhonds (followers of Lairai Devi) had gathered for the jatra. In an interview with local media, Gaonkar mentioned that the stampede might have been sparked when a devotee's cane stick brushed against an electric bulb, causing an electric shock. However, these details are not corroborated by the most recent updates.
North Goa Superintendent of Police (SP) Akshat Kaushal, while still investigating the incident's origins, revealed that police had received reports of rumors stirring panic among the crowd. The sheer number of people attending the event, estimated to be over 50,000, combined with the challenges of effective crowd control, may have contributed to the unfortunate incident.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has ordered a thorough investigation into the stampede, with a focus on transparency and accountability. The jatra, known for its fire-walking rituals, attracts a massive congregation of devotees every year, creating congested conditions that could potentially exacerbate unexpected situations.
Reports vary, with some suggesting 6-7 fatalities and 30-80 injuries, while other accounts credit authorities with maintaining order and minimizing casualties. Despite various theories, no specific trigger, such as structural collapse or electrical fault, has been officially confirmed as the immediate cause of the chaos.
Since the event's aftermath, authorities have been faced with the Herculean task of evacuating the temple grounds, a daunting challenge given the unprecedented crowd size. Regional police personnel have been deployed to ensure the safety and orderly departure of the devotees.
While the investigation continues, the tragic incident underscores the urgent need for better crowd management strategies to prevent such incidents in the future. Multifactorial approaches that account for crowd density, age demographics, culturally-specific rituals, and potential hazards are essential in promoting the safety and security of attendees during such events.
- The recent stampede at Panaji's Shri Lairai Devi Temple, a general-news topic, may have been ignited when a devotee's cane stick brushed against an electric bulb, causing an electric shock, according to temple President, advocate Dinanath Gaonkar.
- The North Goa Superintendent of Police (SP), Akshat Kaushal, has revealed that rumors had sparked panic among the crowd at the time of the stampede.
- goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the stampede, emphasizing transparency and accountability, as the event's aftermath presents a daunting challenge for authorities due to the unprecedented crowd size.
- In light of the stampede, there is a pressing need to implement better crowd management strategies to prevent accidents and stampedes during future religious events such as the Lairai Zatra, ensuring the safety and security of the dhonds (followers of Lairai Devi).
