The annual kite flying festival in India killed six people, three of them children. Their throats were slit by kite strings.
India holds the Uttarayan kite flying festival every year. Participants fly kites and cut through the kite strings of other participants using their own kite strings.
The kite’s strings are modified in order to be able to slice through the strings of opponents’ kites.
Dangerous materials such as metal and glass are banned but are often used in the strings. They are called Chinese manjha and they are easy to purchase. They can cut through skin and slice someone’s neck. Every year, someone gets accidentally killed by a kite string.
A two-year-old child on a scooter with her father was cut by a kite string and died on Sunday.
A seven-year-old boy on a scooter with his parents was slit in the neck and killed.
A three-year-old girl was killed instantly as her neck was slit.
Three men also died due to injuries during the festival.
Last weekend, a startling 131 participants and bystanders were injured by kite strings and 46 people fell off rooftops and terraces while climbing or watching the event. As usual, several birds and animals were injured by the strings.
Before the festival, police warned residents to be careful and avoid the area if they were not participating. It’s not the first time that people have died during the festivals.
The annual kite festival is held in different parts of India as a celebration of the end of winter.