Sun Oct 06 18:35:34 UTC 2024: ## Chennai Air Show Turns Tragic: Three Dead, Hundreds Injured in Crowd Crush
**Chennai:** An air show held on Sunday in Chennai to celebrate the Indian Air Force’s 92nd anniversary turned tragic, with three people dying and over 200 others fainting due to a massive crowd and extreme heat.
The event, which drew an estimated 1.3 million spectators, officially broke the record for the largest air show audience and was registered in the Limca Book of World Records. The show, featuring a display of 72 aircraft including the Rafale, Surya Kiran, and Sarang, commenced at 11:00 AM and lasted for two hours.
However, the festivities were marred by a lack of crowd management and inadequate facilities. People started gathering at the Marina Beach venue as early as 8:00 AM, facing scorching temperatures that reached 36 degrees Celsius.
Reports from attendees highlighted the lack of drinking water at the venue, leaving many thirsty for hours. After the show concluded at 1:00 PM, the massive crowd exiting simultaneously resulted in traffic jams and a stampede at a local railway station. Several metro stations also faced similar crowds.
The three people who died were identified as Srinivasan (48), Karthikeyan (34), and John (56). Their deaths were attributed to the overwhelming crowd and heat.
This is the third time the Indian Air Force held its anniversary air show outside Delhi. Last year, the event was held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, and in Chandigarh the year before.
Despite the tragedy, the air show showcased India’s advanced military technology, with highlights including the first World War era Harvard T-6G Texan aircraft, the Tejas Advanced Light Combat Aircraft, and the Sukhoi 30 MKI.
The event also saw the Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, reiterate the force’s aim to achieve complete indigenous production of weaponry by 2047. He emphasized the need for India to surpass China in terms of technology and speed in military equipment manufacturing.
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