People suffocated due to huge crowd in Chennai Airshow, 5 died, opposition surrounded Stalin
#News Bureau,Chennai,October7,2024
A spectacular air display by Indian Air Force jets over the skies of Chennai Marina beach in Tamil Nadu turned into a disaster on Sunday due to heavy crowds and scorching sun. At least five people among the thousands of spectators died of suffocation.
A senior Chennai police official said that one person died on the beach and four others in the vicinity and all the five were among the thousands of people who had gathered in a kilometre-long crowd along the seashore to watch the air show. Thousands of people stood in the scorching sun for at least 2 to 3 hours to watch the event and many of them held umbrellas to protect themselves. Though the air show was held between 11 am and 1 pm, most of the people gathered at the venue at least an hour before the start.
In the chaos, several people fainted and were carried to hospitals by emergency workers. Following the incident, main roads, especially those close to the beach area, were completely jammed and local trains, including MRTS and metro, were jam packed along with buses.
A stampede-like situation arose at the venue when thousands of people tried to leave the venue at the same time. However, the police said that it successfully controlled the crowd. The bus stop at Anna Square near the protest venue was jam packed with people. In view of the traffic restrictions, people had to walk long distances to catch buses or reach train stations.
Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai on Sunday blamed the Tamil Nadu government for the death of five people during the Chennai Air Show and said it did not make proper arrangements for the thousands of people who had come to Marina Beach to watch the event. “I am shocked to hear that 5 people died due to crowding during the IAF ‘AIR SHOW’ event held at Chennai Marina Beach and more than 200 people were injured and were hospitalised for treatment. The only reason for this is that the DMK government did not provide even the simplest facilities for the people gathered there,” Annamalai wrote on Twitter.
He said the tragedy cannot be called an “accident”. It reflects the “complete failure of Chief Minister MK Stalin’s administration”. “I strongly condemn Chief Minister MK Stalin and the DMK government for ruling only for their family and not caring about people’s lives, which led to the death of people and grief of hundreds of families,” Annamalai said. The Chief Minister is accountable to the public on this matter.”
Leader of Opposition and AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami condemned the DMK government for the incident and alleged that it failed to make proper arrangements for such an important event and offered his condolences to the bereaved people
Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, several state ministers, Chennai Mayor R. Priya among others attended the 92nd Indian Air Force Day celebrations at the Marina between the Lighthouse and Chennai Port.
