Update: Three international attendees pass away during Amsterdam Dance Event
With DJ Mag winners, international industry coming togethers, and one of the world’s largest gatherings of electronic music talent and fans, the atmosphere of Amsterdam Dance Event tends to retain a celebratory feeling all throughout the city. Sadly, with the conclusion of the 19th edition of the five day event, news has emerged that two international ADE attendees have passed away.
On Saturday evening, a 33-year old male from Serbia was taken to the hospital after attending a show at Club Lite in Amsterdam and passed away that evening. On the same night but from a different venue, a 21-year old Dutch* male was taken into the hospital in critical condition and died on Sunday afternoon.
Though details still remain sparse regarding the two deaths, authorities have already begun autopsies and toxicology reports to determine if and which substances may have been involved. NRC reports that depending on the results of the reports, the citywide festival may face a serious evaluation in the next coming weeks.
Update: Director of ADE Richard Zijlma has released an official statement in response to the two deaths.
The ADE organization is shocked by these tragic accidents. We are in close contact with all of the venues, municipalities, and emergency services that are a part of the ADE Festival and every precaution is taken to ensure the safety and security of the audience at all participating venues. Each venue is responsible for its own security and door policy and a comprehensive inspection is also completed at every venue entrance. Drug use is not tolerated in any way at ADE and its partners make every effort to ensure that people are behaving responsibly at the event. Ultimately there is a limit to what we can do and individuals must take responsibility for their own actions. Our thoughts are with the families and friends at this time and we would like to express our deepest sympathy to them.
Second Update: Reports of a third death have surfaced from Amsterdam Dance Event. A 41-year old woman in attendance of the same Club Lite party on Saturday evening was taken to the hospital by taxi with her husband but unfortunately passed away on Sunday morning. The coroner’s report has already revealed that drugs – specifically ecstasy – were involved in the woman’s case and it is suspected that the two other deaths were also drug related.
* Previously, this article named the second victim as a 21-year old from New York. It has been corrected that the 21-year old male was Dutch.
Via: NRC
Photo courtesy of Willeke Machiels.
Categories: News