Mon Oct 07 02:52:19 UTC 2024: ## Air Show Chaos Turns Deadly: Five Die, Hundreds Fainted in Chennai

Chennai’s much-anticipated air show at Marina Beach on Sunday ended in tragedy, with five people confirmed dead and over 300 others needing medical attention, primarily due to dehydration and crowd-related issues.

The deceased, identified as D. John (56), Karthikeyan (34), Srinivasan, Mani (55), and Dinesh, all collapsed while returning from the event, suffering suspected dehydration. They were rushed to the hospital but were pronounced dead.

The air show, featuring impressive visual spectacles by the Indian Air Force (IAF), quickly turned into a chaotic scene as thousands of attendees struggled to exit the venue due to severe mismanagement by the authorities. Despite the scorching heat, reaching 35 degrees Celsius in Meenambakkam, and suffocating conditions due to the massive crowd, attendees were left stranded for over an hour as traffic came to a standstill.

The lack of crowd control measures resulted in people resorting to extreme measures to escape the heat and congestion, including climbing compound walls and trees. The situation was further exacerbated by the absence of adequate police personnel, leaving attendees to navigate the chaotic exit on their own.

Numerous complaints were also raised regarding the lack of basic amenities, including water and food. Parents were seen begging for water bottles while struggling to find food for their children who were stranded in the heat. Accessibility issues were also highlighted, with a wheelchair user noting that access to buses and cabs was restricted, forcing him to travel three kilometers in his wheelchair.

The lack of proper crowd management and infrastructure led to widespread public criticism, with many blaming the state government for the chaos and the deaths. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami strongly condemned the DMK government for failing to properly coordinate the event, citing the lack of basic amenities and the inadequate police presence.

The Chennai Police Commissioner and Ministry of Defence were unavailable for comment, while the Chennai Corporation denied any role in crowd management. The incident highlights the critical need for efficient planning and crowd control measures at large-scale events, particularly in the face of extreme weather conditions.

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