Australia news This article is more than 9 years oldFuture Music festival abandoned after up to six suspected drug deaths
This article is more than 9 years oldMalaysian organisers abandon day three of event amid investigation into possible methamphetamine overdoses
The third day of Malaysia’s Future Music festival has been abandoned after as many as six revellers died from suspected drug overdoses. Organisers announced the cancellation late on Saturday, but the actual number of deaths at the event remains unclear.
Malaysian police said on Saturday six locals, including three women, were pronounced dead on arrival at hospital about 2am after the first day of the festival, which was on its third tour of Asia.
“The six victims who died were believed to have taken the drug methamphetamine before going to the concert. The drug is known as ‘designer drug’ or synthetic drugs, which is called meth,” Kuala Lumpur’s police chief, Datuk Mohmad Salleh, told a news conference.
Organisers initially signalled numerous people had died at the event, saying they were “deeply saddened by the reported loss of lives on Friday 14th March. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those affected.”
However, later on Saturday, they issued another statement that cast doubt on the number of fatalities, saying “news reported in the media on the five alleged deaths associated with FMFA” was incorrect.
“As at 5pm on March 15, we can confirm that one death, and not five, took place on festival grounds on March 14. A police report has been filed and we are working very closely with all relevant authorities in examining and determining the cause of this very unfortunate incident,” organisers said.
“In the interest of public safety we have heeded the authority’s advice to not proceed with day three of Future Music festival Asia 2014.”
It remains unclear whether only one attendee died, or whether only one died “on festival grounds”. Adding to the confusion, on Sunday organisers posted the initial statement referring to the loss of multiple “lives” on the event’s Facebook page.
The third day would have featured performances by Pharrell Williams, Eric Prydz, Brodinski, Porter Robinson and Knife Party.
Mohmad said 19 attendees were arrested for drug possession in the first two days of the festival, including seven locals and 12 visitors from Singapore, Australia and Indonesia, according Malaysia’s New Straits Times.
Organisers said on Tuesday: “Based on information from our on-site medical doctor and medical logs at our on-site emergency trauma centre, what we can confirm is that one person passed away on festival grounds. However, our local media have reported five additional deaths due to suspected drug overdoses. We are assisting the police and relevant authorities in an ongoing investigation.”
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