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At least 3 spectators die at Indian Air Force show in Chennai

The show, to celebrate the air force’s 92nd anniversary, was held at a beach on a day where maximum temperatures touched 35 degrees Celsius

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Indian Air Force helicopters perform during the air show at Marina Beach in Chennai on Sunday. Photo: AFP
At least three people died of suspected heatstroke in India’s southern city of Chennai on Sunday at an Indian Air Force show that was attended by about 1.5 million people, police officers said.

The air show to celebrate the air force’s 92nd anniversary was organised at Marina Beach – among the world’s longest beaches – on a day where the maximum temperature touched 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the weather department.

Spectators at Marina Beach in Chennai watch aircraft perform during Sunday’s air show. Photo: AFP
Spectators at Marina Beach in Chennai watch aircraft perform during Sunday’s air show. Photo: AFP

“Two people died while attending the air show mainly due to dehydration. They fainted due to heat and then died,” R. Alagu, a senior police officer in Chennai’s Triplicane area, said by telephone.

T. Vivekanandan, another police officer in the city’s Mylapore area, said a third person had died “due to heat”.

The Indian Air Force’s Sarang helicopter display team perform in Chennai on Sunday. Photo: EPA-EFE
The Indian Air Force’s Sarang helicopter display team perform in Chennai on Sunday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Chandramohan, a software engineer who attended the event and uses only one name, said there was no water supply at the function despite the “hot and humid” weather and he saw people fainting due to lack of air circulation and dehydration.

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