Eleven guests succumb and die of heat stroke at a packed government awards ceremony held outdoors without shade during a 30°C heat wave in India
- The awards ceremony took place on Sunday in Maharashtra, India, in an open field
- The government has now been accused of ‘negligence’ in planning the event
Eleven guests collapsed and died of heatstroke in 38°C heat at a government-sponsored award ceremony in India.
Held in Maharashtra, India, the event saw hundreds of thousands of people gathered in an open field to congratulate social activist Dattatreya Narayan Dharmadhikari.
It was attended by top politicians including India’s Home Secretary Amit Shah and leaders of the state’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
But the government was charged with ‘negligence’ after 11 people died of heat stroke and hundreds more complained of dehydration and high blood pressure.
It comes after experts warned people to stay out of the sun during peak hours of 11am to 4pm in April, considered one of India’s hottest months.
Held in Maharashtra, India, the event (pictured) saw hundreds of thousands of people gathered in an open field to congratulate social activist Dattatreya Narayan Dharmadhikari
The government was charged with ‘negligence’ after 11 people died of heat stroke and hundreds more complained of dehydration and high blood pressure
Former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said the event was “not well planned” and called for an investigation.
Congress spokesman Atul Londhe Patil also accused the Maharashtra state government of “negligence” and said people had died because the event was held in April.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde called the incident “unexpected and painful” and announced £4,913 in compensation for the families of each of the deceased.
He also said the government would provide free treatment to those who fell ill during the event.