On Saturday, April 5, 2025, tragedy struck the AXE Ceremonia music festival in Mexico City when a decorative structure collapsed, resulting in the deaths of two attendees. The incident occurred around 6:00 PM during a performance by Meme del Real, a member of the popular band Café Tacvba. Witnesses reported that strong winds may have contributed to the collapse of the structure, which weighed approximately 250 kilograms and was being moved by a crane at the time.
The victims, who were reportedly wearing press and photography bracelets, received immediate medical attention at the scene before being rushed to the Rubén Leñero hospital. Unfortunately, despite efforts that included cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), they did not survive. The Secretariat of Comprehensive Risk Management and Civil Protection confirmed the fatalities later that evening.
The local government stated that the incident resulted from insufficient supervision of safety measures by the event organizers and the operational areas of the Miguel Hidalgo mayor's office. In response to the tragedy, the capital's prosecutor's office opened an investigation to determine responsibilities.
Following the incident, the festival continued for several hours, with performances by other scheduled artists, including Natanael Cano and Charlie XCX, until the mayor's office announced the suspension of activities at around 11 PM. The suspension was attributed to the organizers' failure to declare the cranes used for the decorative structure in the special program submitted for official review prior to the event.
The Miguel Hidalgo mayor's office emphasized that their teams had conducted a site inspection on Friday, April 4, 2025, and noted that the cranes were not in place at that time. The decision to install them during the concert was made last minute by the private organizers, which led to the tragic collapse.
In an official statement, the mayor's office expressed, “These regrettable events were the result of deficient supervision of preventive measures by the organizers and the operational areas of the Miguel Hidalgo mayor's office.” They further indicated that the director responsible for the work and the official responsible for civil protection, both contracted by the event organizers, would also be part of the investigation.
Clara Brugada, the head of government for Mexico City, expressed her condolences to the families of the victims and praised the quick response of emergency services who acted to secure the area and provide immediate medical care. “My solidarity with family and friends of the people who unfortunately lost their lives after the accident,” she stated on social media.
The AXE Ceremonia festival, which had drawn over 50,000 attendees in its previous year, was set to run for two days, featuring a lineup that included Massive Attack and Parcels. However, the tragic events have cast a shadow over the festivities, prompting discussions about safety regulations at large public events.
As the investigation unfolds, the city government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that safety measures are strictly enforced at all future events. “We will not tolerate violations of the law or failure to comply with the established requirements for conducting private events,” the mayor's office affirmed.
Despite the suspension of activities on Sunday, the festival's first day was marked by both excitement and tragedy, leaving attendees and organizers grappling with the aftermath of the incident. The community has come together to support the families affected, with organizers stating they are working to contact the victims' families to provide them with all necessary assistance.
The AXE Ceremonia festival's future remains uncertain as authorities continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse. The tragic loss of life has raised critical questions about event safety and the responsibilities of organizers in ensuring the well-being of attendees.
