Mismanagement, Dehydration, And Exhaustion: What Caused 5 Deaths At Chennai Air Show?

Chennai Air Show Mishap: The spectacular display of 72 aircraft at Chennai's Marina Beach on Sunday turned tragic for some spectators, as at least five people died due to causes like extreme exhaustion, PTI reported. Around 200 others were hospitalized, mainly for dehydration. 

A senior police official cited by the news agency said that one person died at the beachfront, while four others passed away in nearby areas. He confirmed that all five were among the 1.5 million spectators gathered along the several-kilometer stretch of shoreline to witness the Indian Air Force's prowess. 

In a statement from the Tamil Nadu government, cited by ANI, authorities confirmed that all patients admitted to Royapettah and Omandurar hospitals have been discharged, with only two remaining in stable condition at Rajiv Gandhi Hospital. The statement denied any claims that crowd mismanagement was responsible for the deaths. 

Chennai | No inpatients in Royapettah and Omandurar - all are discharged. Two inpatients in Rajiv Gandhi Hospital due to some health issues, both are stable. There is no death due to crowd or mismanagement: Tamil Nadu Government — ANI (@ANI) October 7, 2024

Several pictures surfaced from the incident site, where emergency workers can be seen carrying unconscious persons in stretchers to nearby shelters. Over 30 people were rushed to nearby government hospitals with symptoms of dehydration. 

BJP, AIADMK Slam Tamil Nadu Government 

AIADMK leader Kovai Sathyan on Sunday demanded the resignation of the Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian by labelling the incident a ‘complete mismanagement.’ He blamed the government’s ‘incompetency’ for the Chennai Air Show incident. 

"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,” the AIADMK leader said adding that Chief Minister MK Stalin watched the event peacefully with family while common man struggled. 

"In front of my eyes, children were falling. There was no public address system that could guide the people. There were no booths giving water and there was no medical assistance,” he added. 

“Ma Subramanian has any one element of empathy and self-consciousness he should resign as the health minister," Sathyan asserted. 

Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai criticized the DMK government for its alleged failure to make adequate arrangements for the upcoming 92nd Inauguration Day celebrations, accusing the administration of negligence in ensuring basic facilities. 

In a post on X, BJP chief Annamalai expressed his shock over the incident and held the DMK government responsible. "I was shocked to hear that 5 people died due to crowding and more than 200 people were injured and admitted to the hospital for treatment during the IAF 'AIR Show' program held at Chennai Marina Beach. The only reason for this is that the DMK government has not taken care of the safety of the public without providing basic facilities and adequate transport arrangements for the public who came to witness the IAF Air Show," Annamalai stated in his post.

Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian Responds

In a post on X, the Tamil Nadu Health Minister said that arrangements were made considering all the demands of the Air Force officers. 
"Full administrative cooperation of the Government of Tamil Nadu was extended to successfully conduct the Indian Air Force Air Adventure Program at Chennai. 

He further said that the state government formed two medical teams, comprising doctors and nurses for emergency response during the show. 

"The Army had also sent teams for medical assistance. 40 ambulances were readied for medical assistance and emergency response at the site. Required Paramedical staffs was available. A total of 100 beds and 65 doctors at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital were prepared for any emergency," he added. The TN Health Minister said that during the event around 7500 police personnel were deployed.

சென்னையில் இந்திய விமானப் படையின் வான்வழி சாகச நிகழ்ச்சியினைச் சிறப்பாக நடத்திடத் தமிழ்நாடு அரசின் நிர்வாகரீதியிலான முழு ஒத்துழைப்பும் வழங்கப்பட்டது.

இந்நிகழ்ச்சியை முறையாகத் திட்டமிட்டு நடத்துவதற்காகத் தலைமைச் செயலாளர் அவர்கள் தலைமையில் ஒருங்கிணைப்புக் கூட்டம் இந்திய… — Subramanian.Ma (@Subramanian_ma) October 6, 2024

"On behalf of Chennai Corporation and Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, adequate temporary toilets and drinking water arrangements were made. To control the crowd 7500 police were on security. Tamil Nadu government made all arrangements more than what they ask for," he said. 

Traffic Gridlock, Overcrowded Trains and Buses After Chennai IAF Show 

Following the IAF air show, major arterial roads near the beach were heavily congested, with local trains, including the MRTS, Metro, and buses, packed to capacity.  

The bus stop at Anna Square, located near the event venue, was overwhelmed by large crowds. Due to traffic restrictions, many had to walk significant distances to reach buses or train stations. 

Although a stampede-like situation briefly occurred as thousands attempted to exit simultaneously, police reported that they managed to control the crowd and ensure safe passage for ambulances. 

#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Fighter aircraft Sukhoi Su-30MKI takes part in the Air Show organised ahead of the upcoming 92nd Air Force Day, as CM MK Stalin, Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, and a large number of spectators look on.

Source: Tamil Nadu DIPR/ IAF pic.twitter.com/Ejkr1uFHqg — ANI (@ANI) October 6, 2024