Eleven people have died of heatstroke after attending an award ceremony in the Indian state of Maharashtra, while several others have been hospitalized.
The government-sponsored ceremony took place in an open field under the blazing sun and lasted for several hours.
Thousands of people attended Sunday’s event, which was held to pay tribute to a prominent social activist.
Many people complained of dehydration and other heat-related ailments after attending the event.
Navi Mumbai – a city near financial hub Mumbai – where the event was held, recorded a maximum temperature of 38C (100F) on Sunday. Health experts have advised people to stay out of the sun between 11 am and 4 pm during summer, especially during April, which is considered one of the hottest months in India.
Photos from the event show thousands of people sitting directly under the sun, with no roof or cover to provide any form of shelter.
Officials told media that refreshments were provided at the venue throughout the day and booths were set up to provide medical aid to people, but opposition parties alleged that the event was poorly organized and should not have been held at this time of the year.
The event was organized at the Kharghar International Corporate Park Ground to felicitate social activist Dattatreya Narayan Dharmadhikari popularly known as Appa Sahib Dharmadhikari.
It was attended by top politicians including Indian Home Minister Amit Shah and leaders of the state’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
JEE News reported that the event was attended by hundreds of thousands of people and lasted for more than three hours. Several people complained of dehydration, high blood pressure and exhaustion, while about two dozen people were hospitalized.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde described the incident as “unexpected and painful” and announced a compensation of 500,000 rupees ($6,102; £4,913) to the families of each of the dead. He said that the government will provide free treatment to those who fall ill during the event.
Opposition leaders have accused the government of endangering people’s lives. Former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray said the event was “not properly planned” and demanded an investigation.
Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe Patil accused the state government of negligence and said people had died due to the event being held in April.
India had its hottest February on record since 1901 this year, and the country’s Meteorological Department has also predicted an “enhanced probability” of a heat wave between March and May.
