Taylor Swift is speaking out, saying she is devastated after learning that a woman died during a heat warning at her Eras Tour concert in Rio de Janeiro on Friday night.
According to the show’s Brazilian organizers, a 23-year-old died at the show.
“I can’t believe I’m writing these words, but with a broken heart I say we lost a fan before my show tonight,” Swift wrote in an Instagram message a few hours after the show. “I can’t tell you how devastated I am about this. There is very little information that I have other than the fact that she was so incredibly beautiful and way too young. I won’t be able to talk about it from the stage because I feel overwhelmed with grief if I even try to talk about it. I would like to say now that I feel this loss deeply and my condolences go out to her family and friends. That was the last thing I ever thought when we decided to bring this tour to Brazil.
The cause of Ana Clara Benevides Machado’s death was not announced, but local media reports from Brazil said she suffered cardiac arrest. The city’s mayor has called for changes ahead of Swift’s final two shows on Saturday and Sunday.
Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes said in a post on Add Shade and Ambulances.
An excessive heat wave warning is in effect in Rio. On Tuesday, the heat index — both temperature and humidity — reached 137 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday, the highest index ever recorded there. According to Accuweather, the temperature is expected to reach 102 degrees today and will feel like it will reach 113 degrees.
At one point during Friday night’s show in Rio, Swift took a break to make sure fans got water.
“There are people who need water right here, maybe 30, 35, 40 feet back,” she said during Evermore’s set, pointing to part of the crowd on the floor. “Whoever is responsible for giving them this, just make sure that happens. Can I get a signal that you know where they are?”
During her 10-minute version of “All Too Well,” she threw a bottle at a fan while singing.
Swift interrupts Rio show to help fans “There are people who need water,” she said, throwing bottles into the crowd.