A spectacular aerial display of Indian Air Force aircraft over the skies of Marina Beach was a big draw here yesterday, but at least five persons, who were among thousands of spectators, died due to causes including extreme exhaustion.
A senior city police official reported on the beachfront that one person died, and four others in the vicinity. Also, all of them were among thousands of shoregoers who had gathered along the several kilometer long shoreline to witness the air show.
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 a significant event and condoled the bereaved.
Thousands of people waited under the hot sun for at least 2 to 3 hours to watch the event, and a lot of them brought their umbrellas to shield their heads, for the air show was scheduled between 11 am to 1 pm, though most people present in the venue had reached the place at least an hour prior to this.
People fainted. There were so many fainted people that emergency workers had to carry them out in stretchers and provide care in shelters. Over 30 people were taken to nearby government hospitals for dehydration symptoms.
The arterial roads, particularly those in the vicinity of the beach area, were totally choked; local trains, including MRTS and Metro, besides buses, were jam-packed.
The bus stop at Anna Square, near the exhibition venue, was highly crowded. In the context of traffic restrictions, there was a long walk to board buses or reach train stations.
Though a stampede-like situation did come about for a while when thousands tried to exit the venue simultaneously, the police said that they had successfully regulated the crowd and made safe passage for ambulances.
Energetic families thronged the Marina sands when the air show started with the Special Garud Force commandos of the IAF showcasing their daring acts of mock rescue operation and rescue of the hostage.
Para jump instructors making pinpoint landing on the target area and the commandos slithering in to reach the target area literally had the spectators held in a spell.
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, state ministers, Chennai Mayor R Priya, and a whole host of other dignitaries form the participants list for the Marina set up between the Lighthouse and Chennai Port for the 92nd IAF Day celebration.
Though clear skies provided an excellent view of the spectacular air display by IAF aircraft, people assembled on the sandy beach clicked their umbrellas for a shot by the aircraft of IAF towards the end of the mega show at 1 pm.
Air display in which nearly 72 aircraft took part is set to enter the Limca Book of World Records.
The supersonic fighter jets Rafale indulged in a formation showering flares. Heritage aircraft Dakota and Harvard, Tejas, SU-30, and Sarang also did an aerial salute.
The Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet did the "Loop-tumble-yaw" manoeuvrability and let flares off.
The Suryakirans, too, took to the skies to enthrall the crowd. The nation's pride, and our own indigenously manufactured state-of-the-art Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, and Light Combat Helicopter Prachand, also took part in the flypast and aerial display held in Chennai after a gap of 21 years with the theme: "Saksham, Sashakta, Amtanirbhar." It is the third time such an event has taken place outside the national capital. The last show was over the Sangam area of Prayagraj in the state of Uttar Pradesh, on 8th October 2023 and the previous year at Chandigarh.
The grand finale was an aerial spectacle by the Sarang helicopter display team performing a spectacular aerial manoeuvre.
This sight was to watch the Rafale streak across the sky with demonstration of its capacity to be refuelled mid-air, and the Dakota in action.
The aircraft used in the formation were named Kanchi, Nataraj, Dhanush, Marina, and Nilgiris.
"Chennai has enjoyed the spectacular show in its sky by the superstars – our #IAF heroes! Thank you @IAF_MCC! #Airshow2024," the chief minister later posted on the social media platform 'X'. He posted photographs of the grand event.
Before, Stalin was gifted a souvenir by Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh.
Over 15 lakh people witnessed the colorful and scintillating performance of the nation's air warriors with their over 72 aircraft, said a defence release.
"The entire beachfront and the rooftops of high-rise buildings right from Kovalam in the East Coast Road to Ennore were filled with people to watch the airshow that returned to the city after about 21 years," it said.
This is one of the biggest air shows ever, the release said, adding that the annual event was held in Delhi for years. It was shifted out of national capital three years back to provide an opportunity for people of other cities to witness the event.
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