Fatal Crane Collapse Halts Mexico City’s AXE Ceremonia Music Festival, Two Photographers Dead

Mexico City – The AXE Ceremonia music festival in Mexico City was abruptly suspended following a tragic incident on Saturday that resulted in the deaths of two individuals. A decorative structure collapsed after a crane supporting it failed, leading to the fatalities at the event held at Bicentennial Park.

The victims have been identified as event photographers Citlali Berenice Giles Rivera, 28, and Miguel Ángel Rojas, 26. Their deaths have cast a somber shadow over what was intended to be a weekend of musical celebration.

The Fatal Incident Unfolds

The fatal collapse occurred around 5:30 p.m. local time on Saturday. At the time of the incident, musician Meme Del Real was performing on stage. Witnesses reported that a large decorative structure, supported by a crane, gave way, crashing down onto the festival grounds below. Emergency services were immediately dispatched to the scene.

The two photographers, Giles Rivera and Rojas, were tragically caught in the collapse. The precise circumstances leading to the crane’s failure and the structure’s fall are now the subject of an intensive investigation.

Festival Interruption and Cancellation

The AXE Ceremonia festival was scheduled to be a two-day event, having commenced earlier on Saturday. Despite the severity of the incident, performances initially continued on other stages for a period on Saturday, including sets by artists such as Charli XCX, Natanael Cano, and TXT. However, as the gravity of the situation became clear and the deaths were confirmed, organizers issued a statement via Instagram acknowledging the tragedy.

In the wake of the fatalities and the ongoing emergency response, the decision was made to cancel the entire Sunday lineup. This cancellation affected numerous anticipated performances, including those by scheduled headliners Tyler the Creator, Massive Attack, and The Marías, disappointing thousands of festival-goers but prioritizing safety and allowing authorities to conduct their work.

Official Investigation Underway

The Mexico City Attorney General’s Office has launched a formal investigation into the cause of the structural collapse and the resulting deaths. While the probe is ongoing, preliminary indications from the Attorney General’s Office suggest potential factors contributing to the incident. Early statements from the office pointed towards “poor oversight of preventive measures by the organizers and operational departments of the Miguel Hidalgo City Hall” as a possible cause.

This preliminary finding highlights potential systemic failures in event planning, safety protocols, or municipal oversight related to temporary structures at large public gatherings. Authorities are expected to examine permits, structural integrity assessments, crane operation logs, and the implementation of safety plans by all parties involved in organizing and facilitating the festival.

Investigators will be working to determine exactly what led to the crane and structure failure, and whether negligence or insufficient safety measures were directly responsible for the deaths of Citlali Berenice Giles Rivera and Miguel Ángel Rojas.

Community Response and Future Implications

The incident has sent shockwaves through Mexico City’s music and arts community, particularly among event professionals and photographers. Tributes to Giles Rivera and Rojas have begun appearing on social media platforms, remembering their work and passion.

The cancellation of the festival’s second day underscores the immediate impact of the tragedy. Beyond the immediate disruption and sorrow, the investigation’s findings could have significant implications for future large-scale events in Mexico City, potentially leading to stricter regulations or enhanced enforcement of existing safety standards for temporary structures and heavy equipment used in public spaces. The focus remains on the ongoing investigation by the Mexico City Attorney General’s Office to fully understand the sequence of events that led to the fatal collapse at Bicentennial Park.

The AXE Ceremonia festival organizers have expressed their condolences to the families of the deceased and have stated they are cooperating fully with the official investigation. The park remains partially closed as forensic teams and investigators continue their work at the scene of the collapse.