A crane collapsed during the opening day of AXE Ceremonia, a popular music festival held at Parque Bicentenario in Mexico City, resulting in the deaths of two people and prompting the event’s abrupt cancellation, its organizers confirmed Sunday.
The victims, identified as photographers Berenice Giles and Miguel Hernández, were killed Saturday when the structure at the festival site gave way during a gust of wind, according to reports by the Associated Press and local newspaper El Universal. The two were rushed to Dr. Rubén Leñero General Hospital with traumatic brain injuries and multiple fractures, Mexican public health agency IMSS-Bienestar confirmed.
“It is with profound sadness that we confirm the deaths of the two people injured during today’s incident,” the festival’s organizers said in a statement, translated from Spanish. “We are deeply saddened by this loss. We are contacting their families to be with them during this difficult time and offer our full support and solidarity. The safety of our community has always been our priority, and we have maintained, as we have from the very beginning, close collaboration and complete openness with the authorities.”
AXE Ceremonia, which draws tens of thousands of music fans annually for its celebration of Latin music, was set to run over two days. Saturday’s tragic incident led to the cancellation of Sunday’s scheduled performances—like influential electronic music group Massive Attack and chart-topping rapper Tyler, The Creator—and Ticketmaster will issue automatic refunds for those who had purchased tickets, organizers said in a separate statement.
The tragedy has rippled through the music industry at large, with tributes pouring in for Giles and Hernández. “My heart is with the families and friends of Miguel and Berenice,” said Grammy-winning dance-pop superstar Charli XCX, who performed at AXE Ceremonia the night prior.
Both photographers were reportedly on assignment for Mr. Indie, a Spanish-language music site. The outlet on Sunday lamented their deaths in a statement, writing, “Bere and Miguel weren’t just part of Mr. Indie. They were our friends, our colleagues, our eyes behind the music.”
AXE Ceremonia’s organizers said they are working closely with local authorities to investigate the collapse and ensure support for the victims’ families.
