An air show in Chennai, held to celebrate the 92nd anniversary of India’s air force, ended with a troubling medical toll. Forty people were hospitalized after the gathering, and five lives could not be saved. One attendee suffered a heart attack, and about 150 people required medical attention for dehydration and stress, with some losing consciousness before help could reach them.
The spectacle drew more than a million spectators along a two-kilometre beachfront route, turning what began as a ceremonial celebration into a wave of crowds waiting to witness the display. The massive turnout overwhelmed the setup, and the sheer volume of people made it difficult to keep pathways open and safety lines clear for exiting and emergency access.
Officials and organizers faced unprecedented pressure as attendance surged beyond expectations. The surge in visitors left organizers scrambling to manage crowd flow, distribute water, and provide shade and medical support. People began leaving the festival in pockets of congestion, and the heat compounded the challenge, slowing exits and prolonging periods of vulnerability for those affected by heat exhaustion.
“It was stuffy, we couldn’t move at all,” said one visitor, capturing the claustrophobic conditions that enveloped areas of the event. The sense of urgency grew as security and medical teams worked to restore movement and ensure access for those in distress. The scene underscored how quickly a celebratory event can become risky when crowds swell beyond planned capacity.
As the emergency response intensified, the toll became clear: 40 people were hospitalized, five could not be saved, and one person experienced a heart attack. In total, about 150 individuals required medical attention due to dehydration and stress, with some losing consciousness before care arrived. The incident highlighted the critical need for robust medical stations, rapid triage, and efficient evacuation routes at large public gatherings, including coastal venues that pose additional heat risks.
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