Kites are the oldest known heavier-than-air objects to be flown in the heavens above, which may come as no surprise. Kites have taken on a variety of meanings throughout the world and among different cultures. Kites first became popular in China 3,000 years ago. Other parts of the world soon realized how much fun kites were to fly. Kites have been used for a variety of purposes, including propaganda, radio signal transmission, warding off supernatural forces, and spying on others. Today, most individuals fly kites for recreational purposes. We present you with 5 Tragic stories about People killed while flying kites.
What you may not realize is that kites may be incredibly hazardous in the wrong hands. Data shows that hundreds of people are hurt, and some are killed, by kites each year. Three children were killed and 176 were injured during a single festival in India in January 2023.
5 Tragic stories about People killed while flying kites
1- An Indian Boy Electrocuted
On January 12, 2023, a youngster and his friends ascended to the top of a roof in Sangareddy, India, to sail kites. The roof belonged to a rental property in which one of the youngsters resided. Unfortunately, one of the youngsters flew his kite too close to a power wire and damaged it.
As a result, the youngster received severe burns. The boy then made the foolish decision of attempting to detach the kite. He died later at a neighboring medical centre. According to reports, the youngster had burns on more than 90% of his body, while the other two received burns on 30% of their bodies.
The transmission voltage in India is 765 kV AC, which is the greatest voltage power lines can carry and is equivalent to 115,000 volts. Shocks exceeding 2,700 volts are frequently lethal, while shocks exceeding 11,000 volts are usually fatal. However, the amount of current (amperes) rather than the voltage decides the outcome.
2- Man Falls to Death Flying Kite
A 44-year-old man had a bad experience flying a kite in 2021. During a Sankranti celebration in Hyderabad, India, the man was flying kites with his neighbors when he plummeted at least four stories. The tragedy occurred when the man lost his balance as he approached the edge of the building’s terrace. He may not have realized he was so close to the edge. Unfortunately, the man fell over the metal fence that surrounded the structure and died before being taken to the hospital.
Following the accident, the police commissioner asked that people refrain from flying kites from high places. The commissioner also asked that parents teach their children not to run into risky areas such as busy roadways when gathering kites.
For context, six stories range from 60 to 90 feet (18.3 to 27.4 meters) tall. While people flying kites often survive falls from 20 to 25 feet (6.1 to 7.6 meters), the greater the height after that, the more likely a fatality is to occur. One study determined that falls from eight stories (98 feet or 29.9 meters) are almost always deadly.
3- Man Electrocuted by Kite String
Manja, a non-biodegradable kite string material composed of nylon or other synthetics that is dangerous to animals, birds, and humans, was banned entirely by India’s National Green Tribunal in July 2017. Two months later, a 33-year-old man from eastern India failed to follow this rule. When the man was flying a kite from his home’s terrace, it became trapped in high-tension wire. The manja, which was formed partially of glass and metal dust, proved to be a good conductor when it became entangled in a 33,000-volt power line. The late man’s kid, who was clutching the string, was shocked and was thrown backward.
The late man, who owned a stationery shop owner, was taken to a hospital, where he died from his injuries. The man’s daughter, nephew, and niece were also injured while attempting to move the man’s hand away from the kite string.
4- Boy Dies after Fall from Giant Kite
In 2015, a five-year-old kid in Vietnam died after becoming entangled in the ropes of a huge kite. The youngster was then dragged into the air and dropped 65 feet (20 metres) to the ground. The horrifying event was captured on video, and witnesses could only watch in despair. The kite flew away so fast that no one could save him. When several of the kite strings snapped, the youngster was liberated. The youngster was confirmed deceased after being transferred to the hospital.
While members of the Saigon Kite Club attempted to launch the giant kite, which featured a replica of the Vietnamese flag and was believed to be about 50 feet (15 metres) wide, the youngster strayed away from his mother. According to one woman, the kite fell to the ground numerous times before being launched by the wind. When the kite took off, it knocked over a table and a few chairs near the booth where the boy’s mother worked. The child is thought to have approached the kite to gather soft drink bottles when he became entangled in the kite lines.
5- Giant Japanese Kite Kills One
A throng in Higashiomi, Japan, was witnessed in 2015 when a more than 1,000-pound (453-kilogram) kite fell from the sky, injuring four people. One of the individuals who was injured by the falling kite died as a result of his injuries. Observers said that the kite became unstable within minutes of taking flight. According to one commentator, the kite swayed to the side and then crashed to the ground as viewers rushed to find a safe spot. On the day of the accident, a severe wind warning was issued by the weather service. Two elderly folks and a little boy were among those injured in the event.
The annual Higashiomi Giant Kite Festival involves large kites made from bamboo and paper. To make matters even more surprising, this marked the second deadly accident involving a giant kite that occurred in Japan in a ten-week period.
Also read: No colours on sky as ban on Basant continues
