Ten persons are claimed to have passed away from heart attacks in Gujarat, a state in western India, during the “Garba” dance during the current Navratri Hindu festival, according to officials.
The dance known as garba respects, reveres, and celebrates the feminine aspect of divinity.
The word “garba” is derived from the Sanskrit word garbha, which means “womb.”
The youngest of the dead, a 13-year-old from Dabhoi in the Vadodara district, ranged in age from teenagers to middle-aged adults.
“Over 500 ambulance calls were made in 24 hours and the government has also issued an alert and asked the organisers of such events to take all necessary measures.
“It said the measures should include ensuring that ambulances are available to take people to hospitals if they feel unwell.’’
The traditional Gujarati dance of Garba is among the key features of the Navratri festival, which spans over nine nights from October 15 and is performed especially in the state of Gujarat.
The local Gujarat government has issued an alert to all public hospitals and community health centers close to Garba sites, advising them to be on high alert.
Doctors have advised revelers to avoid playing Garba for long stretches of time without taking breaks.
The event organisers have also been asked to keep automated external defibrillators which can help save lives in such situations.
The organisers were also asked to have some people who are trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation deployed to the spot.
NAN