In a heartbreaking incident during an air show in Chennai celebrating the 92nd anniversary of the Indian Air Force (IAF), authorities have confirmed that at least three people lost their lives, and 230 others were hospitalized due to dehydration.
Overcrowding and Extreme Heat Overwhelm Attendees
The air show, designed to showcase the IAF's aerial capabilities, quickly turned tragic as soaring temperatures and overwhelming crowds put a strain on the thousands in attendance.
Reports indicate that lakhs of spectators found themselves stranded after the event came to a halt due to poor coordination among traffic authorities. Many parts of the state capital experienced similar chaos, with large crowds gathered at Marina Beach struggling to disperse once the event concluded.
Early Arrivals and Heat Exhaustion
The air show, which aimed to set a record in the Limca Book of World Records by attracting around 1.6 million people, commenced at 11 AM and lasted until 1 PM. However, a significant number of attendees had arrived as early as 8 AM, seeking favorable viewing spots under the relentless sun.
Before the show began, several elderly participants reportedly fainted from heat exhaustion, underscoring the dangers posed by the extreme weather conditions.
Lack of Basic Amenities and Traffic Gridlock
Compounding the discomfort for attendees, vendors selling water were reportedly removed from the vicinity, leaving many without access to drinking water. As the air show concluded, a mass exodus onto Kamarajar Salai resulted in a complete traffic blockade, causing significant delays.
Exhausted from the heat and the sheer volume of people, many attendees were seen resting along the roadside to regain their strength. Thankfully, some local residents came forward to offer drinking water to those in distress. However, metro stations were overwhelmed as individuals sought alternative routes home.
Political Fallout and Criticism of Government Response
Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K. Annamalai expressed deep concern over the incident, attributing the tragedy to the negligence of the state's ruling DMK government. "The loss of lives cannot be dismissed as an accident," he remarked, emphasizing the administration's failure to ensure basic safety measures and transportation for attendees. Annamalai also criticized Chief Minister MK Stalin for prioritizing political interests over public safety, insisting that accountability is necessary for the suffering of affected families.
In a statement on social media, AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami expressed his sorrow and outrage, extending condolences to the victims' families. He condemned the DMK government for its apparent mismanagement, stating, "I strongly condemn the MK Stalin government for failing to provide adequate security for this event."
The disorganized aftermath of the air show has sparked significant public outcry over the lack of proper planning and preparation. Comparisons have been made to the recent cancellation of actor Vijay's TVK public meeting, highlighting concerns about crowd management while authorities seemed ill-prepared for the lakhs who attended the air show.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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