At least six people were killed and over 50 others were injured in a stampede during an annual festival at a Hindu temple in India's western coastal state of Goa, police officials said on Saturday.

Tens of thousands of devotees from Goa and its neighboring states of Maharashtra and Karnataka attended the annual Hindu festival, held at Sree Lairai Devi temple.

"Devotees were witnessing a religious ceremony and the frenzy caused during the rituals triggered a stampede," V.S. Chadonkar, a police officer in Goa's state capital, Panjim, said.

What do we know about the stampede in Goa?

Chadonkar said that injuries included at least eight critical ones.

Goa State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said that "approximately 80" people were injured.

"Five are critical and on ventilator support, while the remaining are being treated in the specially created emergency ward," he said.

The incident took place on Friday night during the annual Shri Lairai Zatra festival in Shirgao village. The festival is known for its special events including fire-walking.

The stampede took place despite a heavy security presence and a 1,000-personnel strong task force to manage the crowd.

Police officials have yet to determine the reason behind the stampede.

"The circumstances are not yet clear, but it appears that one person fell on a steep slope near the approach road of the temple, which then led to a stampede,” a senior police officer told Indian news daily The Indian Express on condition of anonymity.

Authorities have launched a probe into the incident.

Political leaders extend condolences

Following the incident, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office expressed "condolences to those who lost their loved ones."

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, in a post on X, said that he was "deeply saddened by the tragic stampede" at Lairai Devi temple.

The chief minister said he visited the hospital where the injured were admitted and promised "all possible support" would be given to the families of those killed or injured.

Deadly stampedes are relatively common during Indian religious festivals, which involve large gatherings in small areas.

In January, at least 30 people died in a stampede at India's massive Maha Kumbh festival, the world's largest religious gathering.

Edited by: Rana Taha