Five people died from heat-related issues at an Indian Air Force air show in Chennai, India, where over 200 individuals were hospitalized. The event, held at Marina Beach to celebrate the IAF’s 92nd anniversary, quickly descended into chaos as thousands faced overcrowding, traffic congestion, and inadequate amenities in the sweltering heat.
AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami criticized the DMK government for poor planning and crowd management, holding Chief Minister MK Stalin’s administration accountable.
Authorities from the air force did not immediately respond to requests for comment. According to R. Alagu, a senior police officer in Chennai’s Triplicane area, “Two people died while attending the air show, mainly due to dehydration. They fainted from the heat before passing away.”
A software engineer described the chaotic exit after the event, noting that roads were congested and buses became stuck. The air show, taking place on one of the world’s longest beaches, occurred on a day when temperatures soared to 35 degrees Celsius, as reported by the weather department.
The IAF air show ran from 11 AM to 1 PM, with many spectators enduring the intense heat for hours. Several attendees, particularly the elderly, fainted even before the show began. Emergency responders transported over 200 individuals to nearby hospitals due to dehydration and heat exhaustion.
