Chennai: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Member of Parliament Kanimozhi Karunanidhi expressed her deep sorrow over the tragic deaths of five individuals who succumbed to suspected heatstroke following the Indian Air Force (IAF) show in Chennai. In her remarks, Kanimozhi emphasized the need to avoid “unmanageable gatherings,” indirectly criticizing the IAF’s attempt to set a world record by attracting approximately 1.5 million spectators.
The air show, organized to commemorate the IAF’s 92nd anniversary, took place at Marina Beach—one of the world’s longest beaches. The IAF aimed to break the Limca Book of World Records by drawing a massive crowd. However, as the event approached, the influx of spectators led to overcrowded MRTS railway stations along Marina Beach Road, turning them into densely packed areas.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kanimozhi stated, “It is very painful and sorrowful to know that five people have died due to soaring heat after attending the IAF Air Show at Marina Beach, Chennai. Unmanageable gatherings should be avoided.” She also shared a video detailing her experience during the event.
Lack of Adequate Facilities and Overcrowding
Reports indicate that the event suffered from insufficient provisions for drinking water, exacerbating the risks of heatstroke on a day when temperatures peaked at 35 degrees Celsius. Additionally, attendees faced long walks of three to four kilometers on congested roads to access public transportation or retrieve their vehicles, highlighting significant logistical challenges.
Despite deploying 6,500 police personnel and 1,500 home guards for security, the Chennai Police faced heavy criticism for their ineffective crowd and traffic management during the event.
Opposition Parties Criticize DMK Government
Opposition leaders from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sharply criticized the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government for its handling of the air show. Edappadi K. Palaniswami, AIADMK chief and Leader of Opposition, accused the DMK of failing to adequately prepare for the large-scale event despite prior notifications about the expected turnout.
“In celebration of the 92nd Inauguration Day of the Indian Air Force, we organized an air adventure program in Chennai to honor the strength of the IAF. Despite advance notifications and assurances of transportation and basic facilities, the execution was flawed,” Palaniswami tweeted. He further added, “Administrative arrangements and crowd control were poorly managed, resulting in heavy traffic, lack of drinking water, and tragic deaths due to heatstroke. My deepest condolences to the affected families and my strong condemnation of the DMK government for its negligence.”
BJP national spokesperson CR Kesavan echoed similar sentiments, labeling the DMK government’s actions as “negligence and incompetence.”
Call for Improved Event Management
The unfortunate incident underscores the critical need for better planning and management of large public events to ensure the safety and well-being of all attendees. As Tamil Nadu grapples with the fallout from this tragedy, political leaders from opposition parties are pressing for accountability and reforms to prevent such occurrences in the future.
