An inquiry has been initiated by the Rio de Janeiro Police into Time4Fun, the Brazilian company responsible for organizing the Taylor Swift concerts in the city. This investigation follows the recent death of a fan and numerous reports of unbearable conditions during the Eras Tour, which coincided with an extreme heat wave.
The Civil Police Department of Rio de Janeiro, through its consumer delegations department, is looking into potential violations related to “the crime of endangering the life and health” of concertgoers. The police statement confirmed that event organizers would be summoned for testimony, and additional measures are being taken to scrutinize the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The tragic demise of 23-year-old Ana Clara Benevides Machado during Friday night’s concert prompted the police investigation. The event took place amid a record-breaking heat wave, with temperatures in the stadium soaring to a heat index of 138 degrees Fahrenheit. Swift, responding to the extreme conditions, postponed the Saturday night show.
Concert attendees had complained of oppressive heat and limited access to water, with some reports of fans fainting due to the extreme temperatures. However, the police clarified that the investigation is not directly linked to Machado’s death. The Rio Municipal Health Department disclosed that the young woman passed out during the second song of Swift’s performance, leading to cardiorespiratory arrest. The exact cause of her death remains unknown.
Following the tragedy, Swift’s devoted fans, known as Swifties, took to social media with the hashtag “T4F EXIGIMOS RESPEITO,” translating to “T4F WE DEMAND RESPECT.” Numerous posts urged Time4Fun to ensure adequate access to water for ticket holders.
In response to the concerns, T4F, on social media, announced that fans would be allowed to bring water bottles and some sealed foods into the venue for the next two performances. Swift, expressing her grief in an Instagram story, emphasized the importance of acknowledging the tragic incident.
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Looking ahead, Swift is scheduled to perform three more shows in São Paulo over the weekend, with assurances from organizers that attendees will be permitted to bring some food and water into the venue for these upcoming performances.
