Tragedy Strikes: Five Die from Heatstroke Following IAF Air Show on Marina
The airshow commenced at 11 a.m. and continued until 1 p.m. Approximately 1.5 million people attended.
At least five spectators died, and nearly 100 were hospitalized due to dehydration during the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) airshow at Chennai’s Marina Beach on Sunday. Intended as an exciting showcase of aerial skills, the event turned tragic as high temperatures and overcrowding overwhelmed attendees.
The Tamil Nadu Health Department reported that 93 people were admitted for heatstroke and dehydration. Fortunately, most were discharged after receiving medical treatment. A senior police official stated that one person died on the beachfront and four others nearby. All five fatalities occurred among the thousands who gathered to witness the show along the lengthy shoreline.
Families flocked to Marina Beach as early as 8 a.m., armed with umbrellas to shield themselves from the intense sun. The airshow commenced at 11 a.m. and continued until 1 p.m. Approximately 1.5 million people attended the highly anticipated 2024 event. Reports indicated that many felt suffocated due to the heavy crowd, with a total of 230 individuals fainting from the heat and congestion.
After the airshow, several parts of the city experienced traffic standstill as attendees struggled to return home. A police official reported that nearly a dozen people fainted in a near stampede situation caused by the oppressive heat. They were treated at a government facility nearby.
Traffic around Marina Beach was finally restored about three hours after the event concluded. The chaotic aftermath of the airshow has sparked public outcry regarding the lack of planning and preparedness for such a massive gathering. Many are calling for improved safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
