11 die of heat stroke at Maharashtra Bhushan Award event
Mumbai : 11 people have reportedly died due to heat stroke after they sat in open at a Maharashtra Bhushan Award event on Sunday.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also paid a visit to the hospital where more than 50 people have been admitted due to heat-related health issues.
The event has taken a critical political move because Home Minister Amit Shah was present at the event, which was also attended by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The event was held at Navi Mumbai, where the maximum temperature was recorded at 38 degrees Celsius. The event is started at 11:30 AM in the morning and went on till 1:00 PM.
More than thousands of supporters and social activists were present at the event. It must be noted that there was no shed over the seats of the attendees.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has called this incident unfortunate and have announced compensation of ₹5,00,000 to the families of those who have died in the event.
W Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis leader tweeted that the government will pay for the treatment of those who have suffered heat related illness.
"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," Mr Fadnavis tweeted in Marathi.
Meanwhile, India has reported the hottest February this year since record keeping began in 1901, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).