Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin stated on Monday that state authorities had provided facilities for the Indian Air Force (IAF) air show at Chennai's Marina Beach, exceeding the initial requests made by the IAF. Tragically, at least five individuals lost their lives, and around 100 were hospitalized due to heat-related ailments following the event.

In response to the fatalities, Stalin announced a compensation package of ₹5 lakh for each of the deceased's families. He acknowledged the difficulties attendees faced while trying to reach their vehicles after the event, indicating that future arrangements will be improved.

"The Tamil Nadu government offered significant administrative cooperation and additional facilities for the IAF air show beyond their original request. I was informed that many people struggled to find their vehicles and access public transport after the event, as attendance exceeded expectations," Stalin remarked.

He assured that greater attention would be given to logistics for future large-scale events.

Actor and politician Thalapathy Vijay expressed condolences for the deceased, urging the government to enhance facility and security measures for events of this scale.

"Reports during the event indicated that the public faced challenges due to insufficient basic and transport facilities, leading to distress among attendees," Vijay posted on social media. He called on the Tamil Nadu government to prioritize effective implementation of essential services during large gatherings.

According to the state's health minister, Ma Subramanian, five people died due to heat-related issues, and nearly 100 were hospitalized near Marina Beach, with seven still receiving treatment while 93 were discharged.

The air show, held on Sunday, attracted thousands of spectators who braved the intense heat, many using umbrellas for shade. Despite the event occurring between 11 am and 1 pm, attendees began arriving well before the scheduled time.