Three road deaths, over 900 emergency calls during Midsummer holidays in Latvia
During the Midsummer (Jāņi) holidays in Latvia, three people died in road accidents, including a young man in Balvi municipality. The Emergency Medical Service received over 900 calls, mainly for burns, choking, and alcohol-related incidents. Two people drowned, and another died in a fire in Rēzekne.
In the first four days of the Midsummer holidays, three people were killed in road traffic accidents, according to the State Police. One of the victims was a young man in Balvi municipality. Meanwhile, police continued intensified roadside checks – in a single day, they detained 20 drivers under the influence of alcohol, 14 of whom were heavily intoxicated.
The Emergency Medical Service (EMS) received more than 900 calls during the Jāņi period. Paramedics treated people with severe burns from jumping over bonfires or coming into contact with hot grills. Several patients suffered from choking on food. Injuries from quad bike rides and other incidents were also reported, many linked to alcohol consumption.
Two people drowned during the holidays, and one person died in a fire in Rēzekne. Medics and rescuers note that most of the accidents were preventable by exercising caution and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption.
