In a recent development, DMK MP K Kanimozhi reported the death of at least five people who had come to watch the Indian Air Force's air show in Chennai. According to heres, they perished after the show. Sources say one of them was already dead when brought to the Royapettah Government Hospital.

Another man reportedly suffered a sunstroke while riding his bike. He got stuck in traffic for over an hour on the road between Gosha Hospital and Wallajah Road. One of the eyewitnesses said, “Volunteers even identified his condition as he was losing control amid the stranded crowd and helped him get off the bike.” On the other hand, a senior medical officer said, "Only after the postmortem examination we will be able to identify the cause of death".

In response to the event, Kanimozhi said that unmanageable gatherings should also be avoided. "The news of the death of 5 people is very sad and painful when the public who witnessed the IAF adventure program held at the Marina beach in Chennai suffered from the crowd and the temperature was high. Unmanageable gatherings should also be avoided," she added.

Concerns are being raised about the Indian Air Force's efforts to set a Limca Book of World Records by gathering 15 lakh spectators, which exceeds what can be easily managed. In addition to this, criticism is directed at the Chennai City Police for their inadequate crowd and traffic management during the event.

Prior to the event, everything had gone according to plan, including extensive traffic diversion and parking restrictions. However, the crowd grew to such an extent that the elevated MRTS railway stations along Marina Beach Road became a sea of people closer to the air show, which is scheduled to take place at 11 am. After the event ended, chaos erupted as the crowd began to leave. The Beach Road was completely filled with people.

The area designated for spectators lacked sufficient provisions for drinking water. Hundreds of people had to walk three to four kilometres on congested roads in the sweltering heat to catch public transportation or retrieve their cars because there was no public transportation available. A large number, including kids, were just sitting on the pavement, exhausted and thirsty. A large number were observed tending to the exhausted or fainted.

Cars and two-wheelers recklessly entered both lanes and stayed stuck for over two hours on most roads due to a lack of efficient police regulation onsite. Many police officers had become silent spectators as they rode back on their two-wheelers. It was only after there was a public outcry that they controlled the situation and helped stranded ambulances. Along the roads, there were no stations providing drinking water. The majority of restaurants in these areas were closed, and the stores that were open quickly ran out of soft drinks and water.

A woman who had brought her two kids said, “The state government has failed us. No proper arrangements at all either at the venue or on the roads.” It is unclear if the Tamil Nadu government, which has a history of objecting to large-scale events due to security concerns, had communicated its worries to the Air Force and given them advice not to overhype the show.

The state Chief Secretary oversaw a coordination meeting with the IAF, and other officials held multiple meetings, according to a statement from Health Minister Ma Subramanian. "Arrangements were made keeping in mind IAF's demands. The Chennai Corporation and Metro Water too had made adequate temporary toilets and drinking water arrangements," he said.

Another remark with no attribution stated, "No one dead in the crowd. No death is related to crowd or mismanagement.” The Special Garud Force commandos had performed a simulated rescue operation and hostage-freeing demonstration as part of the air show. Additionally, 72 aircraft were on display, including the Rafale, the Tejas, a modern light combat aircraft built in the country, the Prachand light combat helicopter, and the Dakota heritage aircraft.