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

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.

“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”.

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.