A tragic incident occurred during the Indian Air Force (IAF) event at Marina Beach in Chennai, where five spectators lost their lives due to heatstroke, and over 200 others were hospitalized.
This event was held to celebrate the 92nd anniversary of the IAF. As thousands of attendees gathered, the situation quickly deteriorated, with severe traffic congestion and a lack of basic facilities exacerbating the heatwave conditions.
Opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami criticized the event’s organization, stating that administrative matters were poorly managed and that there were not enough police personnel to maintain order.
“It’s disheartening to see people trapped in heavy traffic without access to drinking water,” Palaniswami remarked. “Many individuals had to be rushed to hospitals due to the heat.”
Further condemnation came from opposition leader Annamalai, who emphasized that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin prioritized personal interests over public safety during such a large event.
Attendee Satyam echoed these concerns, saying, “Children were fainting, and there was no public announcement system or water distribution points to assist the crowd. Medical aid was also absent.”
This tragic event highlights a broader issue of inadequate resources and poor planning at public events in India, raising questions about the government's commitment to public safety amid ongoing political agendas.
