At a festival in India, six people died after they were sliced by glass-encased metal kite strings. According to The Sun, three children were among the victims. The event, which was known as the Uttarayan festival, was supposed to be fun until it turned tragic.
It’s believed that around 11 people died after either getting hit by the strings or falling from buildings. Hundreds of spectators watched the event unfold in the sky. During the battle for dominance, three children, aged two, three, and seven, died.
Before the event got out of control, hundreds of people gathered on rooftops and terraces to launch their colorful kites. Those who participated in the event used sharp strings to launch their creations in an attempt to cut off their competitors. These vibrant kites are usually made from bamboo and lightweight paper. They are then attached to lines made of glue and ground glass.
The strings, which are known as firkees and are rolled up, are attached to the back of the participant’s body. Flying enthusiasts make the strings incredibly sharp, which they can shred through human skin or even electric wires. Due to the tangled cords, the throats of the victims were reportedly slit.
Horrified spectators watched in horror as the tangled strings wrapped the victims’ throats. The event, which was supposed to be fun, quickly turned tragic after hundreds of people were injured due to the flying of the kites. Despite the seemingly harmless activity, flying a kite has claimed the lives of many people.
The sharp strings used by the participants in this activity are designed to cut their opponents’ lines, but they are also dangerous weapons. Due to the unpredictable nature of the kites and the weather conditions, the strings are hard to control. In 2007, Pakistani officials banned the practice following a series of deaths.
In 2021, over 10,000 people were arrested in Pakistan’s Lahore for violating the ban on kite flying. Campaigners demanded harsher punishments to deter the public from participating in this dangerous activity.