Tamil Nadu gave facilities beyond what IAF requested: Stalin on air show tragedy

Speaking on the death of five people after an air show on Marina beach, MK Stalin said that state authorities provided necessary cooperation and facilities.

In Short

• Five died, over 100 hospitalised due to dehydration at Marina Beach air show
• MK Stalin says facilities were provided beyond what Air Force requested
• Promises more attention, better crowd management in future events

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday said that state authorities provided facilities, beyond what was requested by the Indian Air Force, for the air show at Chennai's Marina Beach on Sunday.

At least five people died, and 100 people were hospitalised due to heat-related issues after the Air Force’s air show on the Marina beach. Stalin also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of those who died due to heat-related issues after the air show.

Speaking about the issue, Stalin said that people faced "a lot of difficulties" in reaching their vehicles while going back and more attention would be given to these aspects and necessary arrangements would be made accordingly in future.

"The Tamil Nadu government provided necessary administrative cooperation and facilities for the IAF airshow beyond what was requested by the IAF. I learnt that people had a lot of difficulty in reaching their vehicles and getting public transport while going back after the event as the number of people turned up was much higher than expected," MK Stalin said.

"Next time, when such big events are organised, more attention will be given to these aspects and arrangements will be made accordingly," Stalin added.

Meanwhile, actor-turned-politician Thalapathy Vijay condoled the deaths during the Air Force event, urging the state government to ensure 'effective implementation of facilities and security, during any event of this magnitude in futuer.

"During the event, there were reports in the media that the public did not pay enough attention to basic facilities, transport facilities and security, etc., and expressed their anguish", Vijay posted on X.

"I request the Tamil Nadu government to focus on effective implementation of facilities and security for basic and essential needs in places where people gather in large numbers", he added.

According to the state's health minister Ma Subramanian, five people died due to heat issues.

In addition, nearly 100 people were hospitalised close to Marina Beach, out of whom seven were undergoing treatment, and 93 people were discharged.

An aerial display of an Indian Air Force aircraft over the skies of Marina Beach on Sunday attracted thousands of spectators.

People stood in the scorching sun for nearly three hours and a lot of them held umbrellas to shield themselves from the heat. Though the air show was held between 11 am to 1 pm, most people gathered at the venue at least an hour before.