Chennai/IBNS: DMK MP Kanimozhi has discouraged the Indian Air Force's bid to draw a massive gathering of 15 lakh spectators at its air show during which five people died due to a suspected heat stroke at Marina Beach in Chennai on Sunday.

Kanimozhi wrote on X, "The news of the death of five people is very sad and painful...Unmanageable gatherings should also be avoided."

The MRTS Railway Stations along the Marina Beach turned overcrowded as the air show timing- 11 am to 1 pm- approached.

Reports claim there was no arrangement of drinking water on a hot day in Chennai.

Meanwhile, the Chennai Police, which under the DMK-run Tamil Nadu government, faced flak over its alleged poor crowd and traffic management.

Police claimed it had deployed about 6,500 police personnel and 1,500 home guards for security.

Slamming the DMK government, Leader of Opposition and AIADMK leader, E Palaniswamy, posted on X, "My strong condemnation of the DMK government for failing to properly coordinate even an event of such importance.

"Events to celebrate the end of the Air Force have been going well in various cities of India so far, but the loss of life in the event that took place in Tamil Nadu today is very sad. My strong condemnation to this @mkstalin government for failing to provide proper security for this event."

Slamming the DMK government, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson CR Kesavan said, " Is this the DMK government's Dravida model of utter negligence and incompetence? Yesterday's tragedy at Chennai Air Force show very clearly showed that the State Government, led by DMK, was clearly incapable and unprepared to deal with this event..."