Maharashtra Bhushan Award ceremony: Death toll rises to 11

BY A STAFF REPORTER: At least 11 people died of dehydration and heatstroke and several were hospitalised after attending the government-sponsored Maharashtra Bhushan Award ceremony at an open ground in Navi Mumbai on Sunday. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's office confirmed 11 deaths and officials put the uncertain number at 13. Eight of the dead were women, most of them elderly. The death toll is expected to rise as some of those hospitalized have cardiac problems and fluctuations in blood sugar levels are believed to be serious.