The much-anticipated Indian Air Force (IAF) air show in Chennai on October 6, 2024, celebrating the IAF’s 92nd anniversary, ended in tragedy as at least five people lost their lives and nearly 100 others were hospitalized due to heat exhaustion, dehydration, and overcrowding.
Spectacle of Air Power
The air show, held at Marina Beach, attracted over 1.5 million spectators. The event showcased 72 aircraft, including India’s prized Rafale jets, the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, and Light Combat Helicopter Prachand, among others. Spectators were captivated by aerial stunts, including the Sukhoi Su-30’s “Loop-tumble-yaw” maneuver and the Suryakiran aerobatic team’s performance. The Special Garud Force commandos also displayed their skills in a simulated rescue operation. It was the first air show in Chennai in over two decades, leading to a massive turnout. The event was aimed at entering the Limca Book of Records for mobilizing such a large crowd.
Overcrowding and Mismanagement
However, what began as a day of national pride turned chaotic due to crowd mismanagement. The Marina Beach area became overwhelmed with people trying to leave after the event, leading to a near-stampede situation. Exit points were congested, and spectators were trapped in traffic for hours under the scorching sun, with temperatures soaring. Lack of adequate drinking water and public transport further aggravated the situation.
Many attendees, including children and the elderly, were seen dehydrated and exhausted. According to eyewitnesses, emergency services struggled to assist fainting individuals, and ambulances were stuck in the crowd. Several people fainted due to heatstroke, and five people tragically lost their lives. Medical experts pointed out that dehydration and heat exhaustion led to cardiac arrests and other health complications in many victims.
Criticism of Event Management
The tragedy has raised questions about crowd control and mismanagement by the event’s organizers. Despite the deployment of 6,500 police personnel and 1,500 home guards, there were widespread complaints of insufficient traffic and crowd management. Many attendees lamented the lack of drinking water, poor traffic regulation, and the absence of basic amenities. Social media was flooded with videos showing ambulances stuck in traffic and chaotic scenes as people struggled to leave the venue.
Political leaders also criticized the handling of the event. DMK MP Kanimozhi expressed her condolences and called for better management of large gatherings. The opposition AIADMK and BJP criticized the MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu government for failing to make adequate arrangements for such a significant event. AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami condemned the mismanagement and expressed condolences to the victims’ families.
இந்திய பாதுகாப்புத் துறையின் முக்கிய அங்கங்களுள் ஒன்றான இந்திய விமானப் படையின் 92வது துவக்க நாள் விழாவை முன்னிட்டு, விமானப் படையின் தீரத்தை பறைசாற்றும் வண்ணம் சென்னையில் இன்று வான் சாகச நிகழ்ச்சி அரங்கேறியது.
இதற்கான அறிவிப்பு முன்கூட்டியே வெளியான நிலையில், லட்சக்கணக்கான மக்கள்…
— Edappadi K Palaniswami – Say No To Drugs & DMK (@EPSTamilNadu) October 6, 2024
#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: AIADMK leader Kovai Sathyan says, "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… pic.twitter.com/kNAl1MC0r0
— ANI (@ANI) October 6, 2024
Government Response
Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian defended the government, stating that arrangements had been made beyond what was requested by the Indian Air Force. He claimed that the Chennai Corporation and Metro Water had set up temporary toilets and drinking water stations. However, this was contradicted by many on the ground who reported inadequate facilities. The government has faced calls for an investigation into the event’s planning and execution.
Conclusion
The IAF air show in Chennai, meant to be a showcase of India’s air power, ended in tragedy due to overcrowding, mismanagement, and a lack of preparedness for handling such a large gathering. As the authorities look into what went wrong, the event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of meticulous planning and crowd control in large public gatherings to prevent such disasters in the future.
