Chennai: The city witnessed an unprecedented crowd on Sunday due to the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) air show over Marina Beach ahead of Air Force Day on October 8. With the scorching sun on heads and heavily overcrowded roads, Metro and railway stations, people suffered from severe dehydration with no breathing space amidst the congested traffic.
The incident reportedly led to the hospitalisation of scores of people and three persons died in the hospital. However, the doctors said that the exact cause of death would be out only after the postmortem. The fallout has however sparked a political row with opposition leaders seeking the resignation of the CM and Health Minister over alleged ill-preparedness.
Chennai IAF air show
Chennai Air Show: What We Know So Far
The Indian Air Force (IAF) organised an air show at Chennai's Marina Beach which was one of its kind in many years given the grandeur the Forces had prepared. Lakhs of people gathered for the same and several VVIPs including Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin and others went to attend the event.
However, as the function ended, the crowd reached the roads, Metro and Railway stations ultimately flooding every inch of the space available at these places.
One person named John, 56, was brought dead to Omandurar government hospital. John had attended the event this afternoon. Omandurar Hospital dean Arvind told Times Network that the exact reason for the death – whether it's because of the heat – can be ascertained only after the post-mortem report is out.
Later, three other people – Srinivasan, Karthikeyan and Dinesh – reportedly died after attending IAF's air show at Marina Beach. Many people were admitted to hospitals because of dehydration and other issues.
Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian said the state government provided full administrative cooperation to successfully conduct the IAF's air show. He said that in order to properly plan and conduct the event, a coordination meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary with IAF officials and TN Govt officials once and then several times at the department level.
Arrangements were made keeping everything mentioned by IAF officials in concern. Two medical teams, a sufficient number of doctors and nurses were deployed on behalf of the State govt at the venue, the department said. He said that apart from this, medical teams from the Indian Army were also present. 40 Ambulances and an adequate number of paramedical staff were also deployed at the spot.
100 beds and 65 doctors were kept ready at government medical college hospitals including Rajiv Gandhi Government hospital. He added that necessary arrangements were made for an adequate number of temporary washrooms and drinking water supply. He further said that 7500 police personnel were involved in providing security for the event keeping in view the large crowd.
Leader of Opposition, Edappadi Palaniswami said that Tamil Nadu government had said necessary arrangements to ensure smooth commutation and essential needs have been made for the IAF Air Show. "Despite this, it is reported that 5 people have lost lives and many have been hospitalised due to dehydration and the heat. This has happened due to misadministration and lack of police personnel to keep the crowd and traffic in order," he said.
He further added, "I extend my deepest regrets to the families of deceased. I condemn the state government failing to ensure good organization. EPS alleges there weren't enough police personnel in Chennai today to manage crowd and traffic."
BJP leader K Annamalai expressed shock over the tragedy and claimed that five people lost their lives in the incident. "I'm shocked to know that 5 people have lost lives and 200 are injured during the Indian Air Force's air show in Chennai's Marina Beach. The sole reason for this is that the DMK govt has not taken care of the safety of the public without providing basic facilities and adequate transport arrangements," he added.
The BJP leader said this incident shows the complete failure of CM MK Stalin's administration. "…We cannot go past the loss of five lives as an accident. The DMK govt is totally responsible for this…" he added.
Former Telangana Governor and BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan said, "Heart felt condolences to the loss of lives at IAF AIR SHOW & wish speedy recovery for those hospitalised. " She further said, "Sorry to note the poor crowd management by TN govt at ground level support for the huge turn out over 15 Lakhs while VVIPs got the best care citizens were made to suffer without drinking water,transport ,FIRST AID ambulance facilities is regrettable DMK @arivalayam TNCM DyCM Mayor TN Government need to explain why they failed? No preparedness on ground level by TN level."
Kovai Sathyan, ADMK said the air show today and the five lives lost clearly shows the incompetence of CM MK Stalin. Lakhs and lakhs of people came to the event today.
"While VIPs, VVIPS, CM Stalin and his family were happy in a make shift tent with air condition facility, people were made to stand without food and water. No medical facilities. 230 fell unconscious. Couple of them had seizures. 90 were hospitalized and 5 lives lost so far," he added.
Sathyan further said, "This is not the first time. Last year an AR Rahman concert happened where the CM's convoy itself got caught in traffic. Such was the planning. This govt showed utmost priority and importance in conducting an F4 event within city limits. When it comes to common man's events, this is how the priorities are." He asked for the state Health Minister's resignation.