According to police officials, at least 13 persons have passed away from heatstroke in the western Indian state of Maharashtra after attending a state award ceremony on Sunday where a senior government official was present.
Between 50 and 60 individuals were hospitalized in Navi Mumbai, the place where the event was held, according to a city police official who wanted to remain anonymous because he is not permitted to speak to the media.
The total number of people affected by the event’s intense heat is thought to be significantly higher because many people would have sought out medical attention in their neighborhood.
The state government will provide 500,000 rupees ($6,095) in compensation to the families of the deceased and cover medical expenses of those undergoing treatment, according to a statement from Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s office issued Sunday.
In the statement, Shinde described the deaths following the ceremony as “very painful and unfortunate.”
During the event, the guest of honor, Home Minister Amit Shah, praised the crowd for braving the 42C (107 Fahrenheit) temperatures to attend the outdoor ceremony.
Temperatures in the state are expected to remain high this week, according to India’s Meteorological Department, though the department had not issued a heat wave alert for Maharashtra as of Monday.
Heat waves in India usually take place between March and July, but in recent years these hot spells have become more intense, more frequent and longer.
Last year, India experienced a searing heatwave, where parts of the country reached more than 49C (120F). By July, India had recorded 24 heatwave deaths, Reuters reported, citing data provided by India’s science and technology and earth sciences minister, Jitendra Singh.