KOHIMA: In a tragic incident, a 67-year-old tourist from the United Kingdom lost his life due to cardiac arrest while attending the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland. The event took place on the evening of December 7 at Naga Heritage Village Kisama, the main venue for the vibrant cultural festival.
Police officials said the tourist complained of severe chest pain at the festival. He was immediately shifted to a health camp arranged by the organizers for such cases. But as his condition deteriorated, he was shifted to a larger hospital.
The man was then rushed to a private hospital in Kohima, the state capital located approximately 12 kilometers from the festival site. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his condition later that night.
The officials claimed that he was alone, traveling, and had a tour guide with him. The Nagaland Tourism Department has pledged to make all the necessary arrangements to take back the body to his home country.
The Hornbill Festival, termed the "Festival of Festivals," has attracted an enormous number of visitors this year. Since its starting date on December 1, the 10-day cultural extravaganza has attracted more than 1.22 lakh visitors. This comprises 2,085 foreign tourists and 30,816 domestic travelers from other Indian states.
The festival is known for the tribes of Nagaland's rich heritage, with traditional music, dance, and handicrafts. Of course, this unfortunate tragedy has cast a shadow upon the celebrations.
Authorities expressed their condolences and commended the family, adding that there were adequate medical facilities present at the venue to cater for accidents. The event organizers restated their commitment to keeping all event goers safe.
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