Chennai IAF airshow: What happened at Marina beach as 5 dead, Velachery railway station crowded?

At least five people reportedly died after passing out due to heatstroke while watching the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) airshow in Chennai’s Marina Beach on Sunday. Thousands of Chennaiites were stranded at the beach for over an hour as traffic came to a standstill in the area.

The airshow was announced as part of commemorating the 92nd anniversary of the IAF. Over 200 people fainted at the beach due to heatstroke and 93 needed immediate medical attention, Chennai-based media reported. 40 individuals were taken to the Omandurar Government Hospital in ambulances, The South First said in a report. Some others were taken to the Government Royapettah Hospital. There were 40 ambulances stationed at Marina Beach to handle emergencies but their movement was affected by the mob flow. 

The deceased were identified as D. John (56) of Korukkupet, Karthikeyan (34) of Tiruvottiyur, Srinivasan of Perungalathur, and Dinesh by The New Indian Express. 

Many remained stuck at the beach despite the temperature soaring at over 35 degrees Celsius. Men and kids were seen climbing trees and walls to avoid suffocation and heat while senior citizens and women struggled with kids and opened umbrellas in their hadns. The deployment of Chennai Police and other government personnel was not adequate to meet the demands of the event, reports said.

It was estimated that over 13 lakh people attended the airshow. There was further chaos as lakhs of people were allowed to exit the beach at once through the designated points. This further worsened the situation on the main roads, reports said. Velachery railway station also witnessed significant congestion as a large number of people tried to board the trains to return home.