At least 4 killed and 96 were hospitalised on Sunday due to heatstroke when a crowd of more than 13 lakh people found it extremely arduous to return home after the IAF’s air show event on the sandy Marina Beach, Chennai, according to reports.
The Lighthouse metro station nearby and the Chennai MRTS railway station at Velachery, which serves as the closest junction connecting Chintadripet near the Marina, were swarmed by several hundreds of people and many found it difficult to even get a foothold to stand on the platform. Despite this, many risked journeying while others had to miss the train.
The air show began at 11 am, with the AIF’s Special Garud Force commandos showcasing their daring skills in a simulated rescue operation and in freeing the hostage.
The 92nd IAF Day celebration on the Marina, between the Lighthouse and Chennai Port, was witnessed among others by 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 host of other dignitaries.
The bus stop at Anna Square, in close proximity to the aerial display venue, overflowed with people. ”Nearly a dozen people swooned on the Marina due to a near stampede-like situation and also because of the hot weather, and they were treated at a government facility,” a senior police official said.
The police had to step in to clear the traffic to allow three ambulances to reach the hospital, he said. The arterial roads from Marina connecting various parts of the city too were affected by traffic snarls and the vehicles remained stationary for several minutes at a spot.
”I found it extremely difficult to take the MRTS train to Chintadripet as Velachery station was fully packed with people eager to see the air display,” K Sridhar from Velachery said. Nevertheless, he managed to take his family of four to the Marina and back, though fully sapped of energy while commuting home.
Traffic near the Marina beach was restored nearly three hours after the air show by IAF aircraft concluded at 1 pm, the police official said.
With inputs from agencies.
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4 dead, 96 hospitalised as huge crowd leads to chaos at IAF Chennai air show event
