On Sunday, the Indian Air Force air show was held at Marina Beach in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The show ended in chaos and tragedy. Notably, at least five people died at the Chennai air show tragedy and 100 others were hospitalised as the local authorities failed to properly plan for the show, leaving the spectators helpless in the heat.
According to the media reports, around 10 lakh people reached the venue. People started gathering as early as 7 AM while the show was scheduled for 11:30 AM. According to the official reports, dehydration and exhaustion were the main causes. Attendees blamed the DMK government for poor crowd management.
They also accused the authorities for a lack of traffic planning and inadequate public transport. However, the overall failure resulted in a stampede-like situation because thousands tried to leave the venue simultaneously. A senior police official confirmed that one person died on the beach and four others in nearby areas.
#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | A woman seen being evacuated from a huge rush at the Mega Air Show on Marina Beach ahead of the 92nd Indian Air Force Day.
There are reports of attendees fainting, rushed to the hospital due to heavy crowd presence and heat. pic.twitter.com/SgNEhuTnUH
— ANI (@ANI) October 6, 2024
All of these deaths happened because of the overwhelming crowd that gathered to witness the air show. State Health Minister Ma Subramanian had assured the public that there were two health teams and forty ambulances stationed to avert any tragedy during the show. However, the arrangements were inadequate compared to the crowd that showed up.
The dead have been identified as Srinivasan (48), Karthikeyan (34), John Babu (56), and Dinesh. Journalist Srikkanth pointed out that VIP/VVIP crowd had special treatment during the show which added to the chaos.
Many journalists have also pointed out how VVIP vehicles and escorts contributed to the jam and traffic nightmare, resulting in preventing smooth movement of the people. Many people, even some police personnel were seen climbing high walls to escape. Opposition parties have strongly criticised the DMK government over Chennai air show tragedy, with Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai leading the charge. “I was shocked to hear that five people died due to crowding and more than 200 people were injured and admitted to hospital for treatment during the IAF air show at Chennai Marina Beach. The only reason for this is that the DMK government failed to provide basic facilities and adequate transport arrangements,” Annamalai said in a post on X.
He added that the government cannot brush it off as an accident. He held the DMK government and Chief Minister MK Stalin directly responsible for the disaster.
On the Chennai Air show incident yesterday, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla says, ‘The tragic death of five people and more than 200 people being hospitalized in the Chennai air show is not a tragedy, it is a state-sponsored murder and disaster for which the DMK government and Chief Minister is directly responsible as his and the government’s priority is the elevation of dynasty and corruption. The Chief Minister, Health Minister, DMK government is responsible for the incident. The Chief Minister should take a step down and take accountability for this’.
#WATCH | On the Chennai Air show incident yesterday, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla says, "The tragic death of five people and more than 200 people being hospitalized in the Chennai air show is not a tragedy, it is a state-sponsored murder and disaster for which the DMK government… pic.twitter.com/OK7UL3T2OL
— ANI (@ANI) October 7, 2024
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