Sri Lanka, May 3 -- At least six people have died and approximately 80 others sustained injuries in a crowd crush at a Hindu temple in the western Indian state of Goa, officials have confirmed.

Tens of thousands of worshippers had gathered for a festival at the site yesterday (2).

The incident occurred in Shirgao village, about 40km from Goa's capital, Panaji.

Thousands of devotees were thronging narrow lanes leading to the Sree Lairai Devi temple for the annual Shri Lairai Zatra festival.

The temple is known for events such as firewalking rituals. According to a report by the Press Trust of India, Director General of Police Alok Kumar stated that the stampede began when people standing on a slope near the temple fell, causing a domin...