Accordingly at least five spectators were killed and nearly 100 were hospitalised due to dehydration at the indian air Force’s (IAF) airshow at Chennai’s marina beach on Sunday. The airshow, intended to be a thrilling display of the indian air Force’s aerial prowess, turned tragic as high temperatures and overcrowding overwhelmed attendees. According to the tamil Nadu health Department, 93 attendees were hospitalised due to heatstroke and dehydration. Most of them were discharged after receiving necessary medical aid.
Meanwhile a senior city police official told news agency that one person died on the beachfront and four others in the vicinity. He also said that all five were among the thousands who had gathered along the several-kilometre-long shoreline to witness the air show. Enthusiastic families gathered on the sands of marina beach, many holding umbrellas to shield themselves from the blazing sun, as early as 8 am, to secure a good spot. The airshow began at 11 am and continued until 1 pm. Around 15 lakh people had gathered at the beach to watch the highly-anticipated airshow of 2024.
Perhaps in an X post, bharatiya janata party (BJP)’s tamil Nadu chief K annamalai said he was “shocked” to learn about the incident. He also alleged the DMK government had not taken care of the safety of the public. Former tamil Nadu chief minister and AIADMK leader Edappadi Palaniswami hit out at the DMK-led government over the mismanagement and lack of basic amenities. party leader Kovai sathyan demanded the state’s health Minister’s resignation and said, “When you have an incompetent person as your chief minister, his counsel of ministers will also be incompetent. You cannot accept a better result than this. While MK stalin and his family happily watched the show in the air-conditioned makeshift, the people had to walk for 5-10 kms to watch this air show.”
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