At least 11 people lost their lives and 10 others were hospitalized due to heat stroke at a government award ceremony organized by the Government of Maharashtra. The Maharashtra Bhushan award ceremony was held in the Kharghar region of Navi Mumbai and was attended by over a thousand people, including Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde.
According to a report by ANI, those who suffered heat stroke were immediately taken to the TATA Hospital in Kharghar for medical assistance. The ceremony was held on Sunday, when Navi Mumbai recorded a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius, and it was held in an open ground with no roof available.
Visuals from the Award Ceremony : Credits – India Today
Social activist Appasaheb Dharmadhikari was felicitated at the event, but the celebration was overshadowed by the tragic incident. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced a compensation of Rs. 5,00,000 for the families of the deceased and ensured proper treatment for those still hospitalized.
“This is a case of sunstroke. Some 50 people were admitted to the hospital, of which 24 are still there while the rest have been discharged after primary treatment,” said Eknath Shinde to reporters.
Credits – ANI
According to latest news report, 11 attendees of Maharashtra Bhushan Award ceremony die of heat-related health issues. The eyewitnesses told the channel that arrangement for visitors was extremely poor, they were all seated directly under the scorching sun https://t.co/tYIon6kJ3G https://t.co/kF5c8FgtH7
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) April 16, 2023
Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis expressed his condolences in a tweet, saying, “It is very unfortunate and painful that some members participating in the Maharashtra Bhushan award ceremony this morning died due to heatstroke… We share the grief of their families.”
