Chennai Marina Beach tragedy: Why did IAF airshow turn fatal, leading to 5 deaths and over 200 hospitalisations?
PTC Web Desk: A day that was meant to celebrate the Indian Air Force’s 92nd anniversary turned into a nightmare on Chennai’s Marina Beach. The much-anticipated airshow, the first in over two decades, drew a crowd of over 15 lakh people, making it the largest-ever airshow gathering in India. The event, however, was marred by severe overcrowding, inadequate crowd control, and insufficient basic amenities, leading to the tragic deaths of five spectators and over 200 hospitalisations.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, where the lack of planning and execution overshadowed what should have been a grand display of aerial prowess. The massive turnout caught organisers off guard, resulting in congestion, suffocating conditions, and a lack of access to water and shade. Despite the deployment of 7,500 police personnel, the measures fell short.
Massive crowd and unexpected turnout
The airshow, held on Sunday between 11 am and 1 pm saw people arriving as early as 8 am to secure a vantage point to witness the aerial performances. This airshow marked Chennai’s first in over two decades, attracting families and enthusiasts from all corners of the city. The turnout exceeded expectations, earning a Limca Book of Records entry for the largest-ever gathering at an airshow in India. Unfortunately, this also contributed to a logistical disaster that left many struggling to breathe in the tightly packed crowd.
As spectators crowded the exit points, many reported being stuck for over 40 minutes, with the congested environment leading to discomfort and panic.
Scorching heat and poor timing
The event’s timing only worsened the situation. Temperatures soared as thousands gathered on the sun-drenched Marina Beach. With the airshow scheduled during peak morning hours, attendees were exposed to the sun for prolonged periods without adequate shade. The high humidity levels further added to the discomfort, causing dehydration among many. Some spectators broke through barricades in search of shade, but relief was hard to come by.
Lack of water and essential amenities
One of the most glaring issues was the lack of water arrangements. The authorities reportedly cleared water vendors in the vicinity of the event, citing crowd control and clutter management. However, this decision left attendees without access to drinking water, worsening the dehydration situation. While advisories encouraged people to bring their own water bottles and umbrellas, many arrived unprepared for the long wait under the sun.
The absence of public water distribution points left many struggling to cope with the heat. The situation could have been alleviated with proper hydration facilities, but the lack of such measures only added to the distress of those present.
Public transport overwhelmed
The public transport infrastructure was also unprepared for the massive influx of people. Thousands relied on buses, trains, and the Chennai metro to reach Marina Beach, resulting in severe overcrowding. Buses and trains were packed beyond capacity, and traffic around the venue was brought to a standstill due to heavy gridlocks. With parking limited and many roads closed for the event, people were forced to walk long distances in the intense heat to reach the venue.
Among the fatalities was 34-year-old V Karthikeyan, who collapsed while walking back home with his family and later died in a hospital. Another victim, 56-year-old D John, succumbed near Parthasarathy Arch, while two others, Srinivasan and Dinesh Kumar, lost their lives on the beach itself. The fifth victim, identified as Mani, also succumbed to heat-related complications. Hospitals such as Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Omandurar Hospital, and Government Royapettah Hospital treated nearly 100 patients, many of whom suffered from heatstroke and dehydration.
Response and compensation
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased. He acknowledged the logistical challenges posed by the unexpectedly large turnout, despite the state government providing what he described as “administrative cooperation beyond what was requested” by the Indian Air Force.
“Next time, when such big events are organised, more attention will be given to these aspects, and arrangements will be made accordingly,” stated Chief Minister Stalin, emphasising the importance of better planning and preparedness in the future.
- With inputs from agencies
