Heatstroke kills 11 at Indian awards ceremony

Eleven people have died of heatstroke and dehydration after they fell ill at an awards ceremony held near Mumbai amid searing temperatures.

About 50 people have been treated in hospital after standing for up to five hours in 38°C heat.

About a million gathered at the outdoor event attended by senior officials including Home Minister Amit Shah, the district chief medical officer told The National.

The ceremony, on 140 hectares of open ground, was organised to confer the Maharashtra Bhusan – the state’s highest civilian award – on Appasaheb Dharmadhikari, a social activist.

“It started at around 11am and by 2pm people started complaining of dizziness, low blood pressure and were vomiting,” Dr Rehana Muzavar said.

“They were rushed to two hospitals but unfortunately, eight females and three males lost their lives.”

Media reports said dozens complained of dizziness and lost consciousness towards the end of the event and were treated at a medical centre before they were taken to hospital.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnvis called the incident “unfortunate and painful” and announced compensation of 500,000 rupees ($6,100) for bereaved families.

India is in the grip of a heatwave. The federal weather department has issued a warning in several parts of the country.

In eastern West Bengal state, schools and colleges were closed for the week.

“We have issued a warning of heatwave in eastern India but we can expect heatwave conditions in western India in the coming days,” Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra told The National.