Two Canadian music festivals ended disastrously last weekend, with a total of three deaths and almost 100 hospitalizations. This is the latest of the ever-growing list of overdose-related deaths and hospitalizations at festivals. The unfortunate events occurred this weekend at Boonstock Music Festival and Veld Music Festival.
A 22-year-old man and 20-year-old woman both reportedly died of overdoses at Veld Music Festival, in addition to another 13 hospitalizations. At Boonstock, a 24-year-old woman died and 80 others were taken to the hospital for drug-related sickness and dehydration.
Veld Music Festival is held in Toronto. Toronto Police asked any festival-goers still in possession of drugs from the event to turn them into police for testing. It is unclear what drug caused the deaths and hospitalizations, but police say they suspect it is a "party" drug like MDMA. Deputy chief Mark Saunders also noted that "Medical staff have indicated there's a possibility this could be poison," according to Billboard. The EDM festival featured headliners like Calvin Harris and Armin van Buuren.
Boondock was headlined by Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis, Armin van Buuren and Rise Against. Concerns about this event arose when it was just in the planning stages. The festival was denied a liquor license due to safety concerns, and had to hire a new security company for the same reason. It was also kicked out of the venue that hosted the event in previous years after complaints about "drugs, violence and vandalism."
While casualties in these situations are unfortunately to be expected, it seems that these types of deaths have begun to occur more regularly, especially at EDM festivals. It has become such a trend that hospitals now prepare to treat large volumes of patients when festivals are scheduled in the area.
Last month, one person died at a festival in Pemberton, B.C. at the Pemberton Music Festival. The police issued a statement after the tragedy urging those attending Boonstock to "refrain from ingesting unknown substances and to ensure that they remain hydrated in the hot, dry, dusty conditions of the event grounds." Sadly, it seems not everyone took their advice.
If anyone has any information or is a victim or a witness, please call the Toronto Police Homicide Squad at 416 808 7400 ext. 77365 or Crime Stoppers at 222-TIPS.
