11 people lost their lives due to heat stroke in Maharashtra. They were all sitting in open at the Maharashtra Bhushan award on Sunday, said state Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Besides the deaths, many were hospitalized also pertaining to the heat-related issues. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde went to hospitals to meet the victims.
The event which was held in Navi Mumbai which led the Maharashtra government and Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the award to honour the social activist Appasaheb Dharmadhikari.
The temperature of the day stood at 38 degree Celsius as maximum.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also attended the event.
The event held between 11.30 am to 1 pm and thousands of fans of the social activists emerged.
The ground in Navi Mumbai was filled with people and had all the audio and video facilities. However, there was no shed over the seating arrangements for the audience.
Calling the incident very “unfortunate” Chief Minister Shinde has announced a compensation of ₹ 5 lakh to the each family of those who lost their loved ones.
“As per the briefing received from doctors, 7-8 people have died today, while 24 are being treated. 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,” Mr Shinde said while speaking to media persons.
Meanwhile, Deputy CM Fadnavis also assured that government will bear all the expenses in the treatment of all those were harmed due the heat-strokes.
“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 said in a tweet in Marathi.
