CHENNAI: Expressing deep anguish over the death of five people who attended the Indian Air Force (IAF) air show at the Marina beach on Sunday, Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday announced a solatium of Rs 5 lakh each to the grieving families.
In a statement, the CM said the state government extended full administrative support to the IAF and made arrangements beyond what was requested by the IAF.
Police department, fire and rescue services, Chennai Corporation, and the health department together made arrangements to host an excellent event for the people.
However, since there was an unexpected huge turnout, people faced difficulties in reaching their vehicles and getting access to public transport, he said.
The CM assured that in future, while organising such events, more attention will be paid to arrangements. “I was pained to know that five priceless lives were lost due to the scorching sun and medical reasons. My deepest condolence to the family members and their relatives,” the CM said.
Earlier on Monday, Health Minister Ma Subramanian, who spoke to reporters, said that the five deaths were due to heat-related issues and not overcrowding. He said the incident should not be politicised and denied claims that the government downplayed the fatalities.
Asking reporters not to sensationalise the issue for increasing their TRP ratings (of TV channels), he said, “We provided all the facilities requested by the IAF. The Chief Secretary conducted two meetings with all the service departments.”
Med teams including those from Army were deployed, says MaSu
“There were medical teams, including those belonging to the Indian Army, at the venue along with ambulances and thousands of paramedics,” Ma Subramanian said.
The minister further stated that the IAF had asked the state government to keep 100 hospital beds on standby, but the government made over 4,000 beds available in various hospitals, including Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH).
He evaded direct response to questions on the number of drinking water kiosks set up at the venue and whether the number of police personnel deployed was lesser than what was deployed for Vinayagar idol immersion earlier this month. He said details on the number of water kiosks would be provided later as a statement to the media.
He also said the government anticipated more than 15 lakh people for the event. However, the event was conducted between 11 am to 1 pm when there was excessive heat, he said. “IAF had also asked people to carry water bottles and wear caps and sunglasses.
These were given as clear instructions,” he said. A total of 102 people were admitted to hospitals out of which 93 were treated as outpatients and five are dead. Other inpatients are being treated for ailments, including fits, hernia, fractures, and food poisoning, and are in stable condition, he said