Indian Air Force airshow tragedy; 5 dead, 100 hospitalized

Five people lost their lives due to extreme weather conditions and the overwhelming crowd at an air force show in the southern Indian city of Chennai.

Hundreds of thousands of spectators gathered along the beach under scorching sun on Sunday, with temperatures reaching 35°C (95°F).

While high summer temperatures are typical in India, scientific studies have shown that climate change is making heat waves longer, more frequent, and more intense.

Earlier this year, parts of the country experienced extreme heat, with temperatures soaring above 50°C.

Lawmaker Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, from the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party, expressed sorrow, calling the reports of the deaths “heartbreaking.”

India has been grappling with worsening heat conditions, driven by climate change, with severe consequences for public health and safety.