• Six people died and around 80 were injured in a stampede at the Lairai Zatra festival in Goa.
• The incident occurred during a fire-walking ritual at the Sree Lairai Devi temple.
• Several injured are in critical condition and have been referred to specialty hospitals for care.
• Authorities are investigating the cause of the stampede, which involved thousands of devotees.
• Health and emergency services were promptly mobilized to assist the victims.

At least six people were killed and approximately 80 others injured in a stampede that occurred during the annual Lairai Zatra festival at the Sree Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao village, Goa. This incident took place on Friday night as tens of thousands of devotees gathered for the event, which includes fire-walking rituals, leading to over-crowding in narrow lanes near the temple, according to Indiatimes and Reuters.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, confirming that deaths occurred even before victims could reach medical assistance. Vishwajit Rane, Goa's health minister, stated that at least five of the injured are in critical condition and receiving intensive care treatment, with multiple medical facilities mobilized to assist, reports Dawn and Al Jazeera.

Eyewitnesses and local officials indicated that the stampede was triggered by a sudden rush of devotees, causing some to fall on a slope, which exacerbated the crowd crush. Investigations are ongoing to understand the precise factors contributing to the tragedy, according to Indiatimes and Reuters.

The Prime Minister's office extended condolences and assured complete assistance to the affected families, while local authorities promised thorough support for the injured victims, as highlighted by Dawn.