NEW DELHI (AFP) — Six people were crushed to death at a Hindu temple in India’s coastal state of Goa, officials said Saturday, after thousands gathered for a popular fire-walking ritual.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said in a statement that he was “deeply saddened by the tragic stampede” at Lairai Devi temple in the village of Shirgao in the early hours of Saturday morning.

“Six people died even before they could be brought to the hospital,” Sawant told reporters.

He visited the hospital and said that “all possible support” would be given to the families of those killed or injured.

Vishwajit Rane, Goa state health minister said “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.