In a significant tragedy in Chennai, Tamil Nadu's capital, on Sunday, an air show celebrating the Indian Air Force's 92nd anniversary turned dire under intense heat, resulting in three deaths and 230 hospitalizations due to dehydration. BJP leader Annamalai criticized the DMK government for the disordered management.
It has emerged that ineffective traffic coordination left millions stranded in Chennai. Such occurrences were reported across the city, where individuals remained caught in standstills for hours on end. Meanwhile, dispersing the large gathering at Marina Beach where the air show took place proved equally challenging.
Horrendous Jam Engulfs Millions
The grand air show organized on the occasion of the Indian Air Force's 92nd anniversary ended in chaos. Inefficient coordination among the traffic police and other officials trapped countless individuals in massive gridlocks post-show, leaving millions immobilized.
Source: aajtak
Crowd Amassed Since Early Morning
The Air Force aimed to gather 1.6 million individuals at Marina Beach in an attempt to make it into the Limca Book of Records. During this time, nearby water vending stalls were removed. People began congregating from 8 AM for this air show scheduled between 11 AM and 1 PM. The escalating heat led to the fainting of several elderly attendees before the event even started.
Questions Arise Against Officials
After the air show concluded, the crowd's exit was congested, leading to several dehydration cases, with some seeking refuge by the roadside. Residents near the beach graciously provided drinking water to those suffering from the heat. The crowd heading home also filled metro stations to capacity. Post-event, many tough questions have been raised against the officials for the mishandling.
Source: aajtak
Gathering 1.6 Million Was the Goal
The event aimed to record the mass gathering of 1.6 million people in the Limca Book of World Records. Police reports mentioned massive throngs near Marina Beach, at the lighthouse metro station, and the Chennai MRTS railway station in Velachery. The overflow left individuals struggling to even find a place to stand on the platforms.
Strenuous Effort to Free Ambulances from Jam
Reported by PTI, a bus stop near Anna Square saw a surge of persons crowding due to heat and a stampede. A senior police officer mentioned the needful measures undertaken to clear traffic, facilitating the necessary paths for three ambulances to reach hospitals.
