AGI – American pop superstar Taylor Swift is “devastated” over the death of a 23-year-old fan during a concert in Rio, where organizers were heavily criticized for banning people from bringing water bottles despite the sweltering heat. The tragedy occurred on Friday during the first of six concerts that the singer should take place in Brazil.
Videos posted on social media show the star trying to come to the aid of his thirsty followers, sending assistants to hand out water bottles and even throwing water bottles into the audience himself.
“It is with a broken heart that I say we lost one of our fans tonight,” Taylor Swift wrote on her Instagram account. “I can’t tell you how devastated I am,” the health authorities in Rio announced Ana Benevides died on Friday evening after a cardiac arrest at the Nilton Santos Stadium during the concert in front of 60,000 spectators. Attempts to resuscitate her failed and an investigation was launched.
Another angle: Taylor Swift gives water to a fan. #RioTSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/8A3fGJrnbq
– World Sound Waves (@WorldSoundWaves) November 18, 2023
Stifling heat
Large parts of central and southeastern Brazil have been suffering from oppressive temperatures for several days, which are anything but normal for a southern spring. Brazil’s justice minister on Saturday called on all event organizers to ensure visitors have access to drinking water.
“It is unacceptable that people are suffering, fainting and even dying because they do not have access to water,” he said, adding that the cause of death has not yet been officially determined. Time For Fun, producer of the event, said in a statement that the young woman received “quick assistance” and that the medical team “decided to transfer her to Salgado Filho Hospital after almost an hour of emergency care.”
In her post, Taylor Swift said that she would not speak about the young woman’s death on stage. “I feel overwhelmed by grief even when I try to talk about it,” she said. “I feel this loss deeply and my broken heart goes out to his family and friends,” she added.
A postponed concert
Taylor Swift then postponed her scheduled show on Saturday due to the extreme heat. Saturday’s shift came after the heat index in the city rose to 59 degrees Celsius (138 Fahrenheit). “I’m writing from my dressing room at the stadium,” he wrote on Instagram. “Due to the extreme temperatures in Rio, the decision has been made to postpone tonight’s show.” “The safety and well-being of my fans, colleagues and crew must and will always be my top priority,” he added.
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