The Aman Sandesh Times
New Delhi : DMK MP Kanimozhi said today she was sad and pained over the deaths of five people due to dehydration at an Air Force air show in Chennai and stressed that unmanageable gatherings should be avoided.
Five spectators died and 230 others were hospitalised at an air show held in the city’s Marina Beach as the attendees struggled for respite due to a combination of high temperatures, overcrowding and lack of basic amenities, authorities said.
“The news of the deaths of five people is very sad and painful when the public who witnessed the air show held at the Marina Beach in Chennai suffered due to overcrowding and high temperatures. Unmanageable gatherings should also be avoided,” she tweeted.
Earlier in the day, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian confirmed that five people died in the Chennai air show due to dehydration. He confirmed that the fatalities were due to extreme heat.
WHAT HAD HAPPENED?
The air show, which aimed to enter the Limca Book of World Records by gathering around 16 lakh people, began at 11 am and continued until 1 pm. However, thousands of people had already gathered as early as 8 am to secure a good spot, under the blazing sun.
Several people fainted due to heat exhaustion before the event even started. Emergency workers carried them in stretches and provided care in shelters. Over 30 people were rushed to nearby government hospitals with symptoms of dehydration.
Adding to the crowd’s discomfort, nearby water vendors were removed, leaving attendees without access to drinking water.
Though a stampede-like situation emerged for a while when thousands tried to exit the venue at the same time, police said they successfully regulated the crowd and made safe passage for ambulances.
The Opposition – BJP and AIADMK – condemned the deaths and accused the DMK government of not making proper arrangements for a significant event like an air show.
TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT SAYS FIVE DEATHS DUE TO EXTREME HEAT
Reacting to the allegations, Ma Subramanian, the state Health Minister, said the government provided facilities beyond what was requested by the IAF and asked the Opposition not to politicise the incident.
He said the five people who died due to dehydration were declared dead at a hospital.
Ma Subramanian said the IAF had appealed to people to bring umbrellas, water bottles and sunglasses due to the extreme heat. He also said that paramedical teams and drinking water were arranged at Marina Beach.
“As many as 102 people sought treatment in government hospitals in Chennai due to heat-related issues. Five people have died. Only 7 people are still undergoing treatment. All of them are stable,” he said.
“This was a good opportunity that Chennai got to showcase the strength of IAF. We provided all the facilities. Some people who never even came to the spot are now levelling untrue allegations about lack of arrangements, he added.