BICHOLIM, May 3 -- Team Herald

Six people were killed and over 70 injured in a stampede during the Shree Lairai Devi Zatra at Shirgao in the wee hours of Saturday, marring the festivities at one of Goa's biggest festivals that draws thousands of devotees every year.

Between 50,000 and 1 lakh pilgrims had crowded the narrow lanes near the temple precincts around 2.30 am for the fire-walking ceremony that is one of the highlights of the festival. According to eyewitness accounts, the devotees were hemmed in by thick ropes on a downward slope for crowd control, but a couple of women slipped and fell, sparking the stampede.

Vishal Gauns Dessai, a resident of Avedem-Kothambi, Quepem, who attends the zatra each year and was also present this...