Four days after the Kharghar heat tragedy, 14 dead, five in hospital

A large number of people attend the ‘Maharashtra Bhushan Award’ ceremony addressed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah (unseen), in Navi Mumbai on April 16, 2023. Photo Credit: ANI

four days later Millions of people were suffering from sunstroke During the Maharashtra Bhushan Awards ceremony in Navi Mumbai on 16 April, five people are still undergoing treatment in various hospitals, police officials confirmed on 19 April.

By April 20, 14 people had died due to heatstroke and lack of water. The most recent death was that of Swati Vaidya, a 34-year-old woman from Virar.

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Some post-mortem reports revealed that the deceased had eaten nothing and drank little or no water for at least seven hours.

The event was held on Sunday, April 16, from 10.30 am to 1.30 pm, and was attended by about 21 lakh Srisa-Dasyas, followers of Appasaheb Dharmadhikari, who were honored at the ceremony.

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About 650 attendees reported complications due to heatstroke, and at least 60 of them were taken to nearby health facilities.

Following the tragedy, a 10-bed ward at Nerul Municipal Hospital has been prepared by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation with oral rehydration kits, ice packs, paracetamol tablets etc.