At least five people have tragically lost their lives, and over a hundred others have been hospitalised following the Indian Air Force’s air show in scorching 36°C heat. The event, which took place in the southern city of Chennai, saw a record turnout of 1.3 million spectators at the iconic Marina Beach in Tamil Nadu.
The air show was organised to commemorate the Indian Air Force’s 92nd anniversary and marked the first such event in Chennai in over two decades. Spectators began arriving as early as 7 am to secure prime viewing spots for the 11.30 am display, braving the sweltering sun and contributing to the event’s entry into the Limca Book of Records for the highest attendance at an airshow in India.
Following the conclusion of the show at 1 pm local time, chaos ensued as crowds attempted to leave the venue, leading to a stampede-like situation. Exit points quickly became congested, leaving people stranded for over 40 minutes. Ambulances and emergency services struggled to reach those in need, with some individuals waiting for medical assistance for more than 30 minutes.
Reports indicate that around 230 attendees were treated for fainting and dehydration on-site, with approximately 93 individuals requiring hospitalisation. Tragically, among the casualties was D John, 56, who passed away after collapsing at the event. Another victim, Karthikeyan, 34, suffered chest pain following the air show, with heatstroke being suspected as a contributing factor pending a post-mortem examination.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of distress as people fainted due to the intense heat and lack of proper ventilation and hydration facilities. Attendees also faced difficulties during the post-event exit, with roads becoming gridlocked and public transport services overwhelmed.
State authorities have expressed grief over the incident, with the state minister for medical and family welfare noting the provision of medical assistance, security, and amenities for the event. The tragic outcome has prompted calls for improved crowd management and event preparedness to prevent similar incidents in the future.
This unfortunate incident at the Indian Air Force air show in Chennai highlights the importance of ensuring public safety and welfare during large-scale events, underscoring the need for careful planning and implementation of crowd control measures to prevent such tragedies from occurring again.