More than 40 people suffered burns on Midsummer day

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41 people got injuries from fire on Līgo day, four times more than other years, said Arita Treimane, spokeswoman for  the Emergency Medical Service (NMPD), on Latvian Radio June 24. 

Burns occurred for various reasons. for example by jumping over or into a fire, and by lighting a grill with fuel or petrol.

One of the most serious cases occurred near Rīga,  where a 34-year-old woman sustained 30% burns by jumping over a fire. Meanwhile, in Kurzeme, a 59-year-old man fell into the fire, losing his balance while intoxicated. In Vidzeme, a 70-year-old woman tried to ignite the grill and sustained 60% bodily burns.

As every year, children also suffered burns around fires and grills. The most severe case happened in Vidzeme, where a 2-year-old child sustained 18% bodily burns when he hit a hot grill.

On June 23 the NMPD went on a total of 1,214 calls. Many of the injuries and accidents occurred when people were intoxicated.

On June 24, NMPD teams responded in a total of 1,116 calls, of which 286 were related to various injuries or accidents.

Swimming under the influence of alcohol, too, led to tragic consequences as three people drowned, according to LSM's Latvian language service. Several more people were rescued after getting into difficulties in the water, while others sustained serious traumatic injuries after diving into water that turned out to be less deep than imagined. 

With many people taking the opportunity to extend the Midsummer holidays into the weekend, ambulance and rescue crews are urging people to be sensible so as not to add to the casualty list. 

16 people were taken to the hospital on June 23 with overheating and heat stroke.

LSM reported previously that there was also a death due to a heavy thunderstorm on the night of June 23. Another strong storm on the night of June 24 saw the the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) responding to 164 calls, including releasing three people from a shack on which a tree had fallen.

 

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