What caused the death of 5 spectators at Chennai Air Show?

The Indian Air Force air show was attended by about 1.5 million people.

New Delhi: The much-anticipated air show held in Chennai on Sunday, October 6 took a tragic turn as five spectators died and about 230 others were hospitalized during the show, held to celebrate the 92nd anniversary of the Indian Air Force (IAF) at Chennai’s iconic Marina Beach in Tamil Nadu.

Initially, it seemed like a plane-related accident caused the deaths but later, upon further investigation carried out by the authorities, it was revealed that the visitors were subjugated by high temperatures, humidity, and overcrowding resulting in suffocation and dehydration, as reported by India Today.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) air show was attended by about 1.5 million people and unfortunately, five people succumbed to suspected heatstroke.

The presence of about 15 lakh people at the venue on a hot and humid day caused heatstroke, dehydration, and suffocation. Reports further say that the crown was so big that it affected the traffic and led to traffic jams.

What added to the already building chaos was the mismanagement and poor crowd control. The pandemonium reached its peak after the air show was over and the enormous crowd tried to leave the venue all at once, causing a stampede-like situation. The situation became so desperate that some spectators broke through the barricades.

According to the weather office, the maximum temperature on Sunday was 35 degrees Celsius.

Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian said on Monday that of the nearly 100 people admitted to the government hospitals close to Marina Beach, 7 were undergoing treatment, and 93 people were treated as out-patients adding that the condition of those undergoing treatment at the hospitals was stable.

“There was no stampede while the spectators started leaving for home at the same time,” said Health Minister Ma Subramanian.

“We don’t deny the deaths, which were all related to heat conditions as the people remained under the hot sun from 11 am till 1 pm. Let me make it clear, we made arrangements anticipating 15 lakh people for the IAF’s 92nd Day celebrations and even provided more than what the IAF had sought,” said the Tamil Nadu Health Minister.

The timing for the two-hour air show (from 11 am to 1 pm) was decided by the IAF based on weather conditions and the IAF had advised people to bring umbrellas, wear caps, and cooling glasses and also bring water bottles with them, he said.

According to media reports, there was no water supply at the event despite the hot and humid weather. People fainted due to the lack of air circulation and dehydration.