A 3-year-old girl who was thrown from a bouncy castle when strong winds swept through a community celebration in Montreal has died, and hundreds of people gathered at a vigil to remember her. The child was identified as Eva Ciampini, and her death has turned what was meant to be a joyful local gathering into a source of grief across the community.
Eva died after she was thrown from a bouncy castle that was swept up by strong winds during a community celebration last month in the city's LaSalle borough, in Montreal's southwest. The inflatable structure was lifted by the powerful gusts, throwing the little girl into the air in front of families who had come together for the event.
She was not the only one hurt. Ten other people were also injured when the high winds tore through the outdoor celebration, scattering equipment and decorations and bringing the gathering to an abrupt and frightening end. The scene was described as devastating, with the festivities cut short by the sudden accident.
On the night of the vigil, hundreds of people came together in Montreal to remember Eva. Mourners spoke of the loss in deeply personal terms, with one describing it as every parent's worst nightmare to have something so tragic happen to a child. The gathering became a moment for the community to share its grief and stand with the family.
The accident had originally prompted a massive emergency response. Witnesses reported seeing dozens of police cars, ambulances and fire trucks converging on the scene within minutes, as first responders worked urgently to treat the injured and the critically hurt child was rushed to hospital. Eva had remained in critical condition before she ultimately died.
Montreal police and the city's fire department have been investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident. Investigators are expected to examine whether the bouncy castle was properly secured, whether weather warnings were in effect at the time, and whether the event organisers took appropriate precautions given the conditions when the winds picked up.
In the wake of the death, the community in LaSalle has rallied around the affected families, with neighbours and local organisations offering support. The tragedy has also drawn renewed attention to the dangers of inflatable amusement equipment in outdoor settings, particularly when weather conditions can change quickly during the summer events that are common across the city.