3 dead in Chennai after Indian Air Force air show

At least three spectators who went to watch the Indian Air Force's air show in Chennai died on Sunday after the event. They were admitted to hospitals due to dehydration and other issues, but doctors said that the actual cause of death can only be determined after postmortem test results are available.

Though the air show on the sandy Marina Beach was a big draw, several thousand of people who converged on the idyllic shore found it extremely arduous to return home after the event. At least three persons took ill and died, police said.

The Lighthouse metro station nearby and the Chennai MRTS railway station at Velachery, which serves as the closest junction connecting Chintadripet near the Marina, were swarmed by several hundreds of people and many found it difficult to even get a foothold to stand on the platform.

The bus stop at Anna Square, in close proximity to the aerial display venue, overflowed with people. "Nearly a dozen people swooned on the Marina due to a near stampede-like situation and also because of the hot weather, and they were treated at a government facility," a senior police official said.

According to media reports, a 56-year-old man named John was brought dead to Omandurar government hospital after attending the event in the afternoon.

Omandurar Hospital dean Arvind said that the exact reason for the death, whether it was due to the heat, can only be determined after the post-mortem report is available. Around 30 people were admitted to the hospital in the evening following the air force show due to the impact of the heat.

Most of them were discharged and sent back to their homes.

Several other hospitals also reported numerous dehydration cases.

Massive crowd had gathered at Marina Beach to witness the aerobatics but faced severe difficulties after the event concluded at 1 pm.

The spectators attempted to exit simultaneously, resulting in chaos on roads and at metro and suburban stations. Trains at railway stations were overcrowded, with passengers crammed up to the gates of the boggies.

Traffic near the Marina beach was restored nearly three hours after the air show by IAF aircraft concluded at 1 pm, a police official said.
(with inputs from agencies)

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