On April 5, 2025, the AXE Ceremonia festival held at Parque Bicentenario in Mexico City turned tragic when a metal structure weighing over two tons collapsed, resulting in the deaths of two photographers, Berenice Giles and Miguel Hernández. This incident has raised serious concerns about the safety measures taken by the event organizers, Grupo ECO, led by Diego Jiménez Labora.
The collapse occurred around 6:00 PM during the festival's opening day, as attendees gathered to enjoy performances by various artists. Eyewitnesses reported that the structure, which was being manipulated by a crane, fell after being struck by strong gusts of wind. The victims were documenting the festival when the tragic event unfolded.
In the wake of the incident, the Miguel Hidalgo mayor's office issued a statement attributing the collapse to "deficient supervision of preventive measures" by the event organizers. It was revealed that the cranes used during the festival were not registered in the special program submitted to the authorities and had not been mentioned during the prior inspection conducted on April 4, just a day before the festival commenced.
Due to the severity of the incident, the second day of the festival, scheduled for April 6, was abruptly canceled. The General Prosecutor's Office of Mexico City has since launched an investigation to determine the responsibilities of those involved in the organization of the event.
Diego Jiménez Labora, the founder of Grupo ECO and director of the Ceremonia festival, has been at the center of scrutiny following the tragedy. Known for his extensive involvement in the Mexican entertainment scene, Jiménez Labora has organized numerous festivals since the inception of Ceremonia in 2013, which has attracted thousands of attendees with a diverse lineup of artists.
Despite his prominence in the industry, Jiménez Labora has faced backlash for the decision to continue the festival's activities for several hours after the accident. Critics have expressed outrage over the delayed response in issuing an official statement regarding the tragedy, which only came hours later while festival activities were still ongoing.
In addition to the operational failures highlighted by the accident, Jiménez Labora's connections to political figures have come under scrutiny. His longstanding friendship with Andrés "Andy" López Beltrán, the son of former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has led to speculation about potential favoritism in securing contracts for his various projects, including the controversial Malecón de Villahermosa, valued at 3.2 billion pesos.
The relationship between Jiménez Labora and López Beltrán has been noted in reports detailing a network of friends benefiting from government contracts. This connection raises questions about the ethical considerations surrounding the management of public safety at large-scale events.
Jiménez Labora's involvement in over 20 companies across various sectors, including bars, restaurants, artist representation, and event organization, further complicates the narrative surrounding the festival. His company, Grupo ECO, also manages other popular festivals such as Sónar México and Bravo, in addition to overseeing venues like Auditorio BlackBerry.
As the investigation unfolds, many are calling for accountability and transparency from Jiménez Labora and Grupo ECO. The tragic loss of Giles and Hernández has not only left a void in the artistic community but has also ignited a broader conversation about the safety regulations governing large public events in Mexico.
In the aftermath, social media has been inundated with calls for justice for the victims, with users demanding answers from the organizers regarding the safety protocols that were in place. The public outcry has amplified the need for stricter regulations and oversight in the event management industry to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
As of now, Jiménez Labora has not publicly commented on the incident. His social media accounts have been closed, leaving many to wonder about the future of Grupo ECO and its events, as well as the implications of this tragedy on the broader entertainment landscape in Mexico.
In conclusion, the AXE Ceremonia festival incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety in event management and the responsibilities that come with organizing large public gatherings. The investigation's outcomes may lead to significant changes in regulations and practices within the industry, aiming to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated.
