Five persons die due to heatstroke after IAF air show on the Marina

Around 15 lakh people watched the show on Sunday

Despite the spectacular success of the IAF air show on the Marina, which was witnessed by around 15 lakh people, five persons died and two were hospitalised by the end of the event.

About 100 others were treated as outpatients in government hospitals.

Hundreds of people started thronging Marina beach from as early as 8 a.m.

Buses and trains were crowded for hours. The rush caused a gridlock around the world-famous beach, with spectators having to walk for long distances to reach the venue.

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Several people had carried umbrellas and water to protect themselves from the searing heat. Five persons, who had come to witness the show, fainted and died, a senior police official said.

V. Karthikeyan, 34, a resident of RMV Nagar in Thiruvottiyur, fainted near the INS Adyar gate. He was rushed to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) where he was declared dead. D. John, 56, a resident of Korukkupet, and Srinivasan, from Perungalathur, fainted near the Parthasarathy arch on Kamarajar Salai. Both were rushed to the Government Omandurar Multispeciality hospital, but died later, the official said.

One person, identified as Dinesh Kumar, was found dead on the Marina. His body has been sent to Government Royapettah Hospital for post-mortem. The fifth deceased was identified as Mani.

Nearly 100 persons were taken to government hospitals around the Marina for dizziness. Forty-five persons were treated in the RGGGH, 43 at the Omandurar hospital, and seven at the Government Royapettah Hospital.

RGGGH Dean E. Therani Rajan said only two persons were admitted to the hospital, and the rest were treated as outpatients. The hospital received one person who was declared ‘dead on arrival’. “We do not know the cause of death. If they are high-risk patients, the possibility is heat stroke or myocardial infarction...,” he said.

“We received 43 people with complaints of giddiness. When the temperature goes up, the hypothalamus cannot function properly. It goes for systemic inflammatory response syndrome, affecting the functions of vital organs. Some people suffer from arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), leading to cardiac arrest and death,” Dr. Therani Rajan added.

The patients had suffered a severe heatstroke. Underlying ailments may have resulted in their collapsing, doctors said. EMRI 108 ambulance officials said over 100 patients were taken to hospitals. Many persons complained that the government did not make arrangements to provide amenities, especially safe drinking water.

Published - October 06, 2024 10:06 pm IST