On April 6, 2025, the AXE Ceremonia 2025 festival, held at Parque Bicentenario in Mexico City, was abruptly suspended following a tragic incident that occurred the previous day. On April 5, a decorative structure collapsed during a performance, resulting in the deaths of two photojournalists, Miguel Ángel Rojas and Citlali Berenice Giles Rivera, who were covering the event for an independent media outlet.
The festival organizers confirmed the cancellation of the second day’s activities in a statement shared on their official social media accounts. They stated, "We inform you that it has been decided to suspend the activities scheduled for today, following the guidelines of the corresponding authorities." The announcement came after the unfortunate accident which shocked attendees and prompted immediate medical assistance.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the incident occurred around 6 PM during a performance by Meme del Real. As the artist entertained the crowd, a crane transporting a metallic decorative object collapsed, striking the two journalists who were located near the press area. Despite receiving urgent medical attention, both victims were later pronounced dead at the hospital due to their injuries, which included traumatic brain injuries and multiple fractures.
In the wake of this tragedy, the Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor (Profeco) expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and reminded consumers of their rights under the Ley Federal de Protección al Consumidor (LFPC). According to Article 92 of the LFPC, consumers are entitled to a refund or replacement when a service is not provided, which applies to the tickets for the now-canceled events. Profeco stated that refunds would be automatically processed through Ticketmaster and that consumers should expect to receive their money back for the tickets purchased for April 6.
Authorities have also indicated that if it is determined that the incident was due to negligence on the part of the festival organizers, attendees might receive additional compensation, with Profeco promising a bonus of no less than 20 percent for affected consumers.
While the first day of the festival featured performances from popular artists like TXT, Charli XCX, and Natanael Cano, the atmosphere was marred by the tragic accident. Despite the seriousness of the situation, the festival continued with the scheduled performances on April 5, raising concerns about the safety protocols in place. The Secretaría General de Gestión Integral de Riesgos y Protección Civil noted that the tragic events stemmed from a lack of adequate supervision by the event organizers.
Following the incident, the Miguel Hidalgo borough, in collaboration with the Instituto de Verificación Administrativa (INVEA), placed suspension seals on Parque Bicentenario, effectively halting any further activities at the venue. The General Prosecutor's Office of Mexico City has opened an investigation to determine the responsibilities of those involved, including the Director responsible for the construction and the official responsible for civil protection.
Charli XCX, who was scheduled to perform on the second day, took to Instagram to express her sorrow over the incident, stating, "My heart is with the families and friends of Miguel and Berenice xxx." The heartfelt message was shared shortly after her performance, which took place amidst growing criticism regarding the festival's decision to proceed with the event following the tragedy.
The reactions from the public have been mixed, with some expressing outrage that the festival continued after the accident, while others defended the artists, suggesting they might not have been aware of the incident until after their performances. This incident has reignited discussions about safety measures at large events, especially since previous editions of the festival had also faced scrutiny over safety issues.
As the investigation unfolds, many are calling for stricter safety protocols to be implemented at future events to prevent such tragedies from occurring again. The families of the victims, along with a grieving community, are demanding accountability and assurance that measures will be put in place to protect attendees at large gatherings.
The AXE Ceremonia festival, known for its diverse musical offerings, now faces a significant challenge in regaining public trust. With the spotlight on the safety of festival-goers, organizers must navigate the aftermath of this tragedy carefully, ensuring that both justice is served for the victims and that future events prioritize the well-being of all participants.
In the coming days, as more information becomes available, the festival community and the public will be watching closely to see how the organizers respond to these events and what changes will be made to ensure safety at future festivals.
