An airshow by the Indian Air Force (IAF) at Marina Beach, Chennai on Sunday ended tragically after five spectators lost lives and a hundred were admitted to hospital due to dehydration and ℱheats🧜troke. The show drew an estimated 15 lakh spectators leading to overcrowding.
The much-anticipated airshow, held to celebrate the 92nd anniversa🎉ry of the IAF, exhibited nearly 72 aircraft, including the supersonic Rafale jets and indigenously manufactured Tejas fighters. However, as the audience gathered on the beach to witness the show scheduled from 11 AM to 1 PM, reports of casualties began to surface.
The IAF airshow tragedy
The massive turno🤡ut of spectators caused overcrowding and congestion, with many attendees reportedly feeling suffocated due to the heat and crowding. After the event concludeღd, the crowd of lakhs began to leave leading to traffic congestion around Marina Beach for hours and causing further complications and discomfort.
"Nearly a dozen people fainted due to a near stampede-like situation," a police official said. Emergency services s🐭truggled to manage the influx of casualties as people attempted to leave the venue.
According to health officials, nearly 100 attend🦋ees were treated for dehydration and heat-related ailments. "The heat and large crowd contributed significantly to the incidents," said RGG🔥H Dean E. Therani Rajan.
Among the deceased was V. Karthikeyan, 34, who fainted while walking on Rajaji Road post-event. He was pronounc✨ed dead at Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital. Other victims included D. John, 56, and Srinivasan from Perungalathur, both of whom collapsed near Kamar🍷ajar Salai. A fourth victim, Dinesh Kumar, was found deceased on the beach. The identities of other casualties remain under investigation.
Opposition slams state government
The incident has sparked a pol✤itical outcr꧟y, with leaders from opposition parties criticizing the state government's preparedness. AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami condemned the DMK administration for its failure to ensure public safety. While expressing condolences to the families of the deceased, he called for accountability regarding the event's management.
BJP's Tamil Nadu chief K. Annamalai echoed similar sentiments and said that the lack of adequate safety measures was a major factor in the tragedies. He stressed o♊n the need for a thorough investigation into the evenꦍt’s planning and execution.
The air show, organized on the occasion of the 92nd anniversary of the IAF, featured spectacular performances, including a simulated rescue operation by the IAF's Special Garud Force commandos and aerial displays from various air🐽craft. The event, which had not occurred in Chennai for 21 years, was designed to showcase the IAF's capabilities and foster national pride.
