Eleven guests die of heatstroke at packed awards ceremony in India
Eleven guests collapse and die of heatstroke at packed government awards ceremony held outside with no shade during 100F heatwave in India
- The award ceremony was held in Maharashtra, India, on Sunday, in an open field
- The Government has now been accused of ‘negligence’ over planning the event
Eleven guests have collapsed and died of heatstroke in 100F (38C) heat at a Government-sponsored award ceremony in India.
The event, which was held in Maharashtra, India, saw hundreds of thousands of people packed into an open field to congratulate social activist Dattatreya Narayan Dharmadhikari.
It was attended by top politicians, including India’s Home Minister Amit Shah and leaders from the state’s governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
But the Government was accused of ‘negligence’ after eleven people died from heat stroke and hundreds of others complained of dehydration and high blood pressure.
It comes after experts warned people to stay out of the sun during peak heat hours of 11am to 4pm during April, which is considered to be one of India’s hottest months.
The event (pictured), which was held in Maharashtra, India, saw hundreds of thousands of people packed into an open field to congratulate social activist Dattatreya Narayan Dharmadhikari
The Government was accused of ‘negligence’ after eleven people died from heat stroke and hundreds of others complained of dehydration and high blood pressure
Former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said the event had ‘not been planned properly’ and called for an investigation.
Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe Patil also accused Maharashtra’s state Government of ‘negligence’ and said people had died because the event was held in April.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde the incident ‘unexpected and painful’ and announced £4,913 as compensation to the families of each of the deceased.
He also said the Government would provide free treatment to those who fell ill during the event.
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