Six killed, dozens injured in Goa temple stampede

At least six people were killed and more than 30 injured -- eight of them critically -- in a stampede during a temple festival in the western Indian state of Goa today, officials said.

The incident took place at the Sree Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao village in the early hours of the day, a senior police officer said.

Thousands of devotees from Goa and neighbouring Maharashtra and Karnataka had gathered at the temple for the annual festival, he said, adding that the exact cause of the stampede would be determined following an investigation.

Officials from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) confirmed the death toll and said several devotees were injured in the incident.

Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said at least 30 people were injured, with eight of them in critical condition.

Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.