Five dead and over a hundred hospitalized after Indian air show in 36°C heat

At least five people died and about a hundred more were hospitalized after more than a million people attended the Indian Air Force air show in the southern city of Chennai in scorching heat.

A record 1.3 million people flocked to the venue at the iconic Marina Beach in Chennai, Tamil Nadu on Sunday to watch the thrilling performance in 36°C heat.

However, the situation came to a head when people started leaving the venue at 1pm local time after the air show ended, and an overwhelming crowd thronged the streets and paths, causing a blockade. The air show was held to mark the 92nd anniversary of the IAF and was widely publicized by the IAF as it was the first such event in the coastal city of Chennai in over two decades.

From 7am onwards, people filled the two kilometer stretch of coastline in the blazing sun to secure the best seats for the 11.30am show. The event also earned a place in the Limca Book of Records, India’s longest running record book, due to record attendance at an air show in the country.

As the event came to an end, the large crowd began to disperse, causing mass panic. People were stranded for more than 40 minutes as exits were overflowing, and chaos ensued as some people broke through barricades in a desperate attempt to leave the venue.

Ambulances were unable to reach those in need and some were stuck in the crowd for over 30 minutes, delaying the transfer of patients to hospitals.

Footage showed people, cars and ambulances stranded on roads as they tried to leave the venue. Subway stations and train stations were also overcrowded.

According to the organization, about 230 people were treated for fainting and dehydration at the venue, with about 93 of them hospitalized Times of India.

Among the deceased was 56-year-old D. John, who collapsed around 3 p.m., but the ambulance was reportedly delayed because he got stuck in the crowd. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

Karthikeyan, 34, died after experiencing chest pain while cycling after leaving the event. A doctor at RGGGH Hospital said heat stroke cannot be ruled out as the cause of the chest pain, but the cause of death will be confirmed after the post-mortem report.

Two of the other three victims were identified as Srinivasan and Dinesh.

Chandramohan, a software engineer who attended the event and uses only one name, said that despite the “hot and humid” weather, there was no water supply at the event and he saw people fainting due to lack of air circulation and dehydration.

“The worst thing was leaving after the event. “The roads were clogged… Buses also got stuck,” he said.

Ma Subramanian, Minister of State for Medicine and Family Welfare, said in a post on X that the government had provided medical teams, security, temporary toilets and drinking water supplies for the event.

“The news of the deaths… is very sad and painful as the public… has suffered due to overcrowding and high temperatures,” Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, MP from the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party, tweeted, adding that uncontrollable gatherings should be avoided.

The IAF event has been accused of poor management and a lack of preparation in a country where mass gatherings have led to deaths in recent years.

In July 2024, at least 121 people were killed in a crowd during a religious event in Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh.

In 2017, a stampede on a crowded footbridge connecting two train stations in Mumbai left 22 people dead and 32 injured.

Air Force officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.