Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said on Monday that state authorities had made arrangements much beyond what the Indian Air Force (IAF) had sought for the air show held at Chennai’s Marina Beach on Sunday. Unfortunately, the event saw the death of at least five persons, and around 100 were admitted to hospitals due to heat-related ailments.
Taking note of the deaths, Stalin announced an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased. He said that the visiting crowd faced much hardship in returning to their parked vehicles after the event, and better arrangements should have been made, which would be improved upon in the future.
“The Tamil Nadu government provided necessary administrative cooperation and facilities for the IAF airshow beyond what was requested. However, I learned that the public faced a tough time getting public transport post-event as attendance was more than expected,”
He said.
He further said that Stalin’s part would give more attention to logistics and other arrangements in future events of this scale.
Condoling the victims of the air show, actor-turned-politician Thalapathy Vijay opined that in similar events, the state government should ensure the effective implementation of facilities and security.
“Reports indicated that the public faced issues related to basic amenities, transportation, and security during the event,” he posted on X. In events that attract a large gathering, the Tamil Nadu Government should come forward to ensure the effective functioning of essentials, urged Thalapathy Vijay.
State Health Minister Ma Subramanian said, “Five people have succumbed to heat-related complications, and about 100 have been hospitalized. Seven of them remained under treatment, while 93 others have been discharged.
Thousands thronged the Marina Beach, braving the scorching sun for almost three hours to watch the impressive aerial display conducted by the Indian Air Force. Though the event was scheduled between 11 AM and 1 PM, people began to arrive at least an hour in advance. Some even used their umbrellas to save themselves from the scorching heat.
