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The Indian Air Force (IAF) air show held at Marina Beach in Chennai on Sunday turned tragic, resulting in the deaths of five people and over 50 hospitalizations. The event, commemorating the IAF's 92nd Inauguration Day, had attracted a massive crowd eager to witness the aerial display. While the official cause of the deaths remains unclear, the incident has ignited a fierce political blame game, with the opposition accusing the ruling government of inadequate planning and safety measures.
The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), a prominent opposition party, has been particularly vocal in its criticism of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government led by Chief Minister MK Stalin. AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami asserted that the DMK government failed to adequately coordinate the event and provide proper security arrangements, considering the large anticipated turnout. He highlighted the lack of proper transport and basic facilities, despite advance notifications of the air show.
The DMK government, however, has defended its handling of the event, attributing the fatalities to the extreme heat and the long distances attendees had to walk, rather than crowd mismanagement. DMK leader Saravanan Annadurai urged an investigation into the deaths, emphasizing that many of those hospitalized have already been discharged. DMK MP Kanimozhi, while expressing condolences, stressed the need for improved management of large gatherings in the future, highlighting the tragic nature of the situation.
The incident has further intensified the political rivalry, with the AIADMK and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanding the resignation of Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian. They accused the DMK government of incompetence in managing such a significant event, pointing out the lack of basic amenities like drinking water and medical assistance. BJP Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai criticized the government's failure to prioritize public welfare, highlighting the lack of proper arrangements for the event, despite the huge turnout.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Ma Subramanian has defended the government's actions, stating that they had cooperated fully with the IAF, holding multiple coordination meetings to prepare for the event. He outlined various measures taken, including the deployment of medical teams, ambulances, and the availability of hospital beds and doctors. However, the government's efforts seem to have been insufficient to address the challenges posed by the large crowd and the extreme weather conditions.
The air show turned chaotic due to the overwhelming number of attendees and the extreme heat. The lack of adequate crowd control and traffic management led to significant congestion throughout the city. Attendees expressed frustration over the inadequate arrangements, highlighting the long waits for public transportation and the arduous journeys to reach their destinations after the event. The incident underscores the need for meticulous planning and effective crowd management strategies at large-scale public events, particularly in high-density areas, to ensure the safety and well-being of participants.
Source: Chennai air show tragedy: Death toll reaches five, stirs political blame game