Taylor Swift concert organizer apologizes almost a week after fan’s death

Almost a week after the death of student Ana Clara Benevides, aged 23, the organizer of Taylor Swift’s concert in Brazil spoke out about what happened. In a statement released this Thursday (23), Time For Fun (T4F) said that everyone is subject to “interruptions” and apologized to fans “who did not have the best experience possible”.

In a long text, the company cited the experience of more than 40 years producing entertainment, with an audience of more than 50 million people in Brazil and Latin America, and attributed the problems during the singer’s performances in Rio de Janeiro to the high temperatures.

“On the weekend in which T4F held singer Taylor Swift’s three shows in Rio de Janeiro, at the Nilton Santos Stadium, the capital of Rio recorded the highest temperature of the year, as well as the highest thermal sensation in the historical series, in a situation unprecedented. According to Alerta Rio, the City Hall’s climate monitoring system, on Saturday, November 18, the temperature in the city reached 43.8ºC, with a sensation of 59.7ºC. This led to a high volume of complaints from the public and incidents during the presentation on November 17th, Friday, as well as the postponement of the presentation on November 18th”, claimed the company.

During the first of the singer’s three performances in Rio, Ana Clara fell ill and even fainted. The student was rescued at the Engenhão Stadium, but she did not survive and died in the hospital.

The report from the Legal Medical Institute (IML) showed small hemorrhages in the young woman’s lungs. The case, which was registered as a suspicious death, remains under investigation by the Civil Police.

“We are absolutely devastated by the loss of young Ana Clara, despite the prompt care and all the efforts made by the medical teams at the event and, later, at the hospital”, said T4F, who claimed that they are available to the family to provide necessary assistance. The young woman’s family reported to the CNN who were not contacted by the company.

In addition to Ana Clara, there were reports of other fans who felt ill, possibly due to the high temperatures. According to the company, after last weekend, a reassessment of practices and protocols in events with extreme temperatures was carried out.

According to T4F, free water has always been available, which fans do not confirm. However, the company says it will create new water distribution islands, in addition to providing, whenever possible, more shaded areas inside and outside the stadium. Another measure announced is to start shows later.

New press office

T4F’s long statement was prepared and released to the press this Thursday morning (23) by the new communications agency hired by the organizer of Taylor Swift’s shows in Brazil. Journalists were notified yesterday of the new consultancy at the service of T4F.

Taylor Swift in São Paulo

For the singer’s performances in São Paulo, at Allianz Parque, on the 24th, 25th and 26th of November, the company guaranteed that it will maintain more water distribution points, in addition to having drinking fountains in the stadium. “We have expanded our support teams for public guidance and medical coverage,” she said.

Disposable water cups or flexible plastic bottles will be permitted at the shows, as well as sealed processed foods.

“The concern and commitment of the entire T4F team is always to deliver the best experience for the public we receive, in a safe and comfortable way. To achieve this objective, our team works with the best practices in the events sector around the world, as well as strictly following the determinations of the authorities in each of the locations where it operates”, said the company.

Source: CNN Brasil

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