Kite strings kills five, including a minor amid uttarayan festivities in Gujarat

Ahmedabad :  The vibrant Uttarayan festival, celebrated with great enthusiasm across Gujarat, turned tragic as five individuals, including a minor boy, lost their lives due to kite string injuries. The joyous occasion also witnessed over 4,256 emergency calls, with multiple cases of throat slitting, rooftop falls, and electric shocks reported.

Fatal Kite String Incidents

The sharp kite strings, often coated with abrasive materials, claimed the lives of five individuals:

Rajkot: A biker succumbed to injuries caused by a kite string.

Surendranagar: Ishwarbhai Thakor of Odu village met a similar fate.

Halol, Panchmahal: A five-year-old boy, Kunal, tragically lost his life when a kite string cut his throat while riding with his father on a two-wheeler.

Kadi, Mehsana: A woman and her brother were electrocuted while trying to remove a kite string entangled on an electric wire.

Vadnagar: Mansaji Ragunji Thakor, a 35-year-old father of three, died after a kite string fatally injured his neck.

The untimely deaths have cast a pall of sorrow over families and communities across the state.

Surge in Emergency Calls and Injuries

The 108 Emergency Ambulance service was inundated with calls, responding to 4,256 emergencies by 9 p.m. alone. Ahmedabad recorded the highest number of calls at 732, followed by Surat with 320. Districts like Rajkot, Gandhinagar, Surendranagar, and Vadodara also reported a high volume of emergency cases.

Additionally, 1,402 animals and birds were injured due to kite strings, with Karuna Animal Ambulance attending to 758 animal and 644 bird emergencies by 6 p.m.

Preparedness of Emergency Services

Jaswant Prajapati, Chief Operating Officer of 108 Emergency Services, highlighted that detailed preparations were made to handle Uttarayan-related emergencies. “We forecast a surge in emergency cases during Uttarayan and Vasi Uttarayan. Historically, these two days witness numerous injuries caused by vehicle accidents, rooftop falls, electric shocks, and kite string cuts,” Prajapati stated.

This year, the service expects 4,900 emergency cases on January 14 and 4,500 cases on January 15, a 70% increase compared to regular days. All emergency staff remain on high alert, coordinating with hospitals across major districts, including Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, and Banaskantha.

Rising Concerns Over Kite String Safety

The festivities have once again highlighted the dangers posed by sharp kite strings. Incidents of injuries are not confined to humans, as birds and animals also suffer due to the hazardous material. Activists and authorities are urging citizens to opt for eco-friendly and non-abrasive kite strings to prevent such tragedies in the future.

A Festival Marred by Tragedy

While Uttarayan continues to be a cherished festival celebrating Gujarat’s cultural vibrancy, the tragic loss of lives has raised questions about safety measures and public awareness. Stricter regulations and increased vigilance are being advocated to prevent future accidents during the much-loved kite festival.