Six people died on a footpath in a Hindu temple in the Goa state in southwestern India, where thousands of faithful had gathered for a religious ceremony, authorities said today.

“Six people died before they were still in the hospital,” the head of the state government, Pramond Saund, told reporters, expressing his “deep sadness over the tragic footpath” in the Temple of Larai.

The footsteps happened yesterday, Friday, in the evening, while the faithful had gathered to Larai Zatra, an important Hindu celebration, in the village of Sirgao of the Gao state.

According to Health Minister Goa Visuajit Rane, “about 80 people were injured”, of which “five are in critical condition, under respiratory support”. Others take care of a special emergency unit created after the incident.

The office of India Prime Minister Narendra Monti sent “condolences to those who lost their loved ones”.

In February, at least 30 people were killed on a panic -legged footprint at Kuba Mela, a great Hindu pilgrimage, in Egagratz, northern India.