Officials on Monday reported that 10 people died of heart attack in India’s western State of Gujarat after performing the ”Garba” dance during the ongoing Navratri Hindu festival.
The deceased ranged from teenagers to middle-aged people, with the youngest being 13-year-old hailing from Dabhoi in Vadodara district.
Local TV news channel said: “Over 500 ambulance calls were made in 24 hours and the government has also issued an alert and asked the organizers 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”.
Garba is a dance that honours, worships and celebrates the feminine form of divinity.
The word “Garba” comes from the Sanskrit word Garbha, meaning “womb”.
The traditional Gujarati dance of Garba is one of the highlights of the Navratri festival, which takes place over nine nights beginning October 15 and is particularly popular in the state of Gujarat.
According to reports, the local Gujarat government issued a high-level alert to public hospitals and community health centers near Garba sites, in response to the surge in participants during the festive season.
Doctors emphasized the importance of revelers taking regular breaks while playing Garba to avoid potential health issues such as exhaustion and dehydration. These safety measures are essential to ensure the well-being of participants.
Additionally, event organizers were instructed to have automated external defibrillators on site, which can be crucial in responding to any medical emergencies that may arise during the festivities.
These devices are capable of delivering life-saving electric shocks to individuals experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, and their presence is a proactive step toward enhancing safety at these cultural celebrations.
They were also asked to have some people who are trained in CPR deployed at the spot.
