A day meant to celebrate national pride for the Indian Air Force (IAF) turned into a nightmare at Chennai’s Marina Beach, when a crowd of more than 13 lakh people surged toward exits, leaving 3 dead and many others hospitalised.
Over 13 lakh spectators arrived at the venue via train, subway, metro, cars, and buses to watch the show, making it the greatest air show crowd ever recorded, according to the Limca Book of Records.
However, as people tried to leave the area following the event, traffic officials were unable to control the crowd.
The Indian Air Force organized the event to mark its ninety-second anniversary but due to the tragedy questions are now being raised over the Indian Air Force aggressively pushing this event to set a Limca Book of World Record by aiming to mobilise more than 13 lakh spectators — much beyond manageable — and the Chennai City Police’s poor crowd and traffic management.
A senior police officer said that by late Sunday evening, three deaths had been confirmed and 40 people were in hospitals. “Over 150 people have received first aid in various parts of the city due to the dehydration and stress they faced. One death was reported on the beach, another near Napier Bridge. Other victims died on their way back home at different places. It was not a stampede situation at one particular place,” the officer said.