On Sunday evening, DJ Kaleb Freitas died at this year’s Atmosphere Festival in Brazil, after the stage collapsed due to extreme weather conditions. Three others were injured.
The storm’s heavy wind and rain, which hit the Parque Estadual De Exposições Assis Brasil in Esteio, brought down the O Santuário Stage’s metal structure. The DJ, born Kalleby Freitas da Rosa, suffered several head injuries, which ultimately caused his death shortly after he arrived at the hospital, according to local publication Gauchazh. Shocking footage of the incident was captured by Twitter user Rafael Maroni (warning: the footage is graphic):
https://twitter.com/rafamaroni/status/942443091654529025
https://twitter.com/rafamaroni/status/942464479144677378
According to Global News, Alexandre Camboa, Local Civil Defense coordinator, said, “The forecast for Sunday afternoon was gale-force winds, and torrential rain.” An investigation is now underway.
After the tragedy, Atmosphere Festival issued the following statement on Facebook, originally in Portuguese: “We always cherish the security of our audience, following all the processes, reports, and authorizations requested by the local authorities. And to our audience, we will keep them informed of all our actions to keep the truth about the facts that have occurred. We’re sorry, we lost a friend, an artist. Our priority is to assist the wounded and their families. We thank the military brigade and the fire department for all their assistance.”
As EDM festivals grow on a global landscape, and warehouse parties and rave culture continue to be demonized following tragedies like the Ghost Ship fire, festival organizers face important challenges regarding security and safety of attendees, performers, crew members, and all the people who make these events possible. Other music festivals have faced similar circumstances this year; Mexico’s Ceremonia Festival was canceled (and subsequently rescheduled) and, more recently, Argentina’s Festival BUE suspended activities on their Outdoor Stage on its second day as a preventative measure after being hit by an electrical storm.
[H/T Global News]