9 Shocking Revelations About the Chennai Air Show Tragedy

1. What was the Chennai Air Show?

The Indian Air Force (IAF) held the air show at Marina Beach in Chennai to celebrate its 92nd anniversary. Nearly 72 aircraft participated in the event, including the highly valued Rafale jets, Tejas, and SU-30.

2. How many people attended the event?

More than 10 lakh people gathered at Marina Beach as early as 7 am to get a place to sit, making it one of the most attended events in Chennai's history.

3. What happened during the air show?

The air show featured daring aerial stunts, including the Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet performing the 'Loop-tumble-yaw' manoeuvres and releasing flares. The Suryakiran team also captivated the audience with their air stunts.

4. How many people died during the event?

Around five people lost their lives during the event, with four dying in the vicinity and one on the beachfront. The deceased included John Babu (56), Dinesh, Karthikeyan (34), and Srinivasan (48).

5. What were the primary causes of death?

The deaths were primarily caused by dehydration and extreme exhaustion. Many attendees fainted due to the hot and humid weather, with some dying shortly after being taken to the hospital.

6. How did the crowd management contribute to the tragedy?

Poor crowd management and lack of traffic planning were significant contributors to the tragedy. The large number of attendees caused a stampede-like situation as people tried to leave the venue all at once, leading to further chaos and congestion.

7. What were the symptoms experienced by attendees?

Many attendees experienced symptoms of dehydration and heat strokes, with over 300 people being hospitalized for treatment. Some people were seen fainted and carried by emergency workers to shelters for care.

8. How did local authorities respond to the situation?

Local authorities deployed two health teams with adequate medical personnel and stationed 40 ambulances with paramedical teams at the venue. However, the response was criticized for being inadequate, leading to further frustration among the public.

9. What are the lessons learned from this tragedy?

The tragedy highlights the need for better crowd management and emergency preparedness. It underscores the importance of providing basic amenities such as drinking water and ensuring adequate public transportation to prevent such incidents in the future.