Five spectators were killed and almost 100 were taken to the hospital for dehydration during the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) airshow at Marina Beach in Chennai on Sunday. The airshow, planned to showcase the Indian Air Force’s impressive aerial skills, took a tragic turn due to excessive heat and overcrowding, causing distress to the spectators. The Tamil Nadu Health Department stated that 93 people were admitted to the hospital for heatstroke and dehydration. The majority of them were released after getting the required medical assistance.
According to a senior city police official who spoke to news agency PTI, one individual passed away on the beach and four others died nearby. He also mentioned that the five individuals were part of the large crowd that had assembled along the shoreline spanning several kilometers to watch the air display.
Eager families assembled at Marina Beach, some with umbrellas to protect from the sun, arriving as early as 8 am to claim a prime location. The airshow started at 11 am and went on until 1 pm. Approximately 1.5 million individuals congregated at the shore to witness the much-awaited airshow of 2024.
Reports indicate that 230 individuals fainted from the oppressive heat and overwhelming crowd, causing others to feel suffocated. Many areas in the city became immobilized when a large crowd had difficulty going back home after the event. Almost twelve individuals fainted at the Marina because of a situation similar to a stampede and the high temperatures, and they received medical attention at a government facility.
Traffic near Marina Beach was back to normal almost three hours after the air show ended at 1 pm. The disorganized aftermath has caused public outrage due to the absence of planning and preparation. In a post on X platform, K Annamalai, the Tamil Nadu chief of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), expressed his surprise upon hearing about the incident. He also claimed that the DMK administration had neglected the public’s safety.
I felt extremely surprised to learn that 5 individuals perished from overcrowding, while over 200 individuals were hurt and hospitalized for treatment during the air show organized by the Indian Air Force at Chennai Marina Beach. Annamalai’s post stated that the DMK government has failed to ensure public safety by neglecting to provide necessary facilities and sufficient transportation options for the public.
Chief Minister Stalin’s failure is evident in his lack of involvement in organizing his self-promotion for a large event with hundreds of thousands of attendees. The death of 5 individuals cannot be dismissed as a coincidence. The blame for this lies entirely with the DMK government for failing to address even the most essential preparations. I vehemently criticize Chief Minister Stalin and the DMK government for governing solely for their family’s benefit, disregarding the well-being of the people, resulting in the deaths of 5 individuals and the suffering of numerous families. Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and leader of AIADMK, Edappadi Palaniswami criticized the DMK-led government for their poor handling and absence of essential services.
During the current program, the management of administrative arrangements, crowds, and traffic was not done effectively due to the insufficient police force for regulation. The shocking news is that individuals are trapped in severe traffic, with no access to water, leading to hospitalization for heatstroke and a death toll of five people. I am in agony. My dad has passed away up to this point. I am pained by this. My heartfelt sympathies go out to the grieving families. A rough translation of his X post in the regional language indicated my strong disapproval of the DMK government for not properly organizing such a significant event and not providing adequate security for it under the leadership of MK Stalin.
Kovai Sathyan, party leader, called for the resignation of the Health Minister of the state, stating that having an incapable chief minister will result in his ministers also being incapable. You cannot receive a result that is superior to this. As MK Stalin and his family enjoyed the show in the temporary air-conditioned shelter, the people had to walk 5-10 kilometers to witness the air show.
There was no system for addressing the public to provide guidance. There were no water stations or medical aid booths available. There was a lack of traffic control. The mismanagement is entirely thorough. Valuable lives have been taken. “If Ma Subramanian possesses even a single ounce of empathy and self-awareness, he ought to step down as the Health Minister,” he remarked.
The 92nd anniversary of the Indian Air Force was celebrated with an airshow. The Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet watched the airshow at Marina Beach, held between the Lighthouse and Chennai Port, along with other spectators.
The 92nd anniversary of the Indian Air Force was celebrated with an airshow. The airshow took place on Marina Beach, between the Lighthouse and Chennai Port, and was attended by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister Udhavanidhi Stalin, state ministers, Chennai Mayor R Priya, and several other dignitaries. The airshow featured a performance by the Special Garud Force commandos demonstrating a simulated rescue mission and hostage liberation.
Approximately 72 planes participated in the aerial exhibition that will be recognized in the Limca Book of World Records. Around 50 airplanes, including the high-speed fighter jets Rafale, participated in a display releasing flares. Historic planes Dakota and Harvard, along with Tejas, SU-30, and Sarang, also took part in the flypast. The Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet executed the “Loop-tumble-yaw” maneuver and released flares. The Suryakiiran also soared through the sky to captivate the audience. This marks the Indian Air Force’s third airshow outside Delhi, with the inaugural show taking place in South India. The airshow by IAF was held in Prayagraj in October 2023 and in Chandigarh in 2022.