10 Deaths Due to Heart Attacks at Gujarat's Garba Celebrations, Youngest Victim Aged 17

Gandhinagar: In a tragic turn of events, a sudden spike in heart attacks during the joyous celebrations of Garba, a traditional dance form, has claimed the lives of at least ten people in various locations across Gujarat in the past 24 hours. Shockingly, the youngest victim among them was a 17-year-old, highlighting the alarming nature of these incidents.

In response to these heart-wrenching occurrences, the government of Gujarat has issued an alert, urging event organizers to take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of participants. This includes ensuring the availability of ambulances on-site to swiftly transport individuals to hospitals if they exhibit signs of distress.

One heart-wrenching incident occurred in Kapadvanj town, situated in the Kheda district. Seventeen-year-old Veer Shah, while participating in a Garba event, suddenly fell ill, and his nose began to bleed. He was swiftly rushed to a nearby hospital. Tragically, by the time his parents, who were celebrating at another event, arrived at the hospital, Veer had already been declared deceased, with a heart attack cited as the cause of death.

Ripal Shah, Veer's grieving father, made an emotional appeal to fellow revellers, emphasizing the importance of taking breaks during Garba sessions. He implored, "Please stay aware. Don't play Garba for extended periods without taking a break. I have lost my son today, and I hope the same does not happen to anybody else."

Upon learning of Veer's untimely death, participants at his Garba event observed a two-minute silence in his memory. The event organizers decided to cancel the festivities for the following day, and this decision had a ripple effect with many other event organizers in Kapadvanj following suit.

Similar tragic cases, including the untimely deaths of young individuals in their 20s, were reported in Ahmedabad, Navsari, and Rajkot.

Shocking the community further, a 13-year-old, Vaibhav Soni , suffered a heart attack in Vadodara district's Dabhoi after returning from a Garba event. Vaibhav initially fell from his bicycle, sustaining minor injuries. He was admitted to a hospital, where tests were conducted, including an X-ray. After receiving treatment, he was discharged.

However, Vaibhav later complained of chest pain and was put to sleep with medication by his family. Tragically, he did not wake up, and upon rushing him to the hospital, doctors declared him deceased. It remains uncertain whether the boy's heart attack was directly linked to his participation in Garba.

Dr. Anurag Mehrotra, Chairman of the Cardiology Department at Siddh Hospital , emphasized the need for preventative measures. Data from the Indian Council of Medical Research highlights that over 11% of the Indian population has diabetes, more than 15% are pre-diabetic, 36% are hypertensive, and over 50% are obese, all of which contribute to heart artery problems.

Dr. Mehrotra stated, "The age for the onset of coronary artery disease, hypertension, and diabetes has reduced significantly. We have a young population, but not necessarily a healthy one." He advised event organizers to have automated external defibrillators on hand, as they can be life-saving in critical situations, along with individuals trained in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of a healthier lifestyle, including avoiding sedentary habits and reducing the consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods. These steps, he said, could significantly reduce the risk of heart-related issues among the population.