The organizers of Taylor Swift’s Eras tour in Rio de Janeiro have issued a heartfelt apology and admitted to potential lapses in ensuring the safety of concertgoers following the tragic death of a fan on the tour’s opening night.
Serafim Abreu, CEO of entertainment company T4F, conveyed “sincere condolences” to the family of the deceased fan, 23-year-old Ana Clara Benevides. In a statement shared on social media, Abreu acknowledged that additional safety measures could have been implemented and expressed a commitment to assist the family in any way necessary.
“We recognize that we could have taken some alternative actions in addition to all the others we have done, such as creating shaded areas in external areas, changing the times of previously scheduled shows, and placing more emphasis on allowing entry with disposable water cups,” Abreu stated.
Highlighting the significant responsibility of organizing such large-scale events, Abreu emphasized that the organizers spared no effort or resources to adhere to global safety standards. The statement comes after the tragic incident where Benevides fell ill due to extreme heat ahead of Swift’s Nov. 17 performance at the Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos.
Swift subsequently postponed the following night’s show, citing concerns over the extreme heat. Rio de Janeiro police have since initiated an investigation against T4F regarding the incident.
As Swift prepares to conclude the Brazilian leg of her tour with shows on Nov. 24, 25, and 26, the organizers’ commitment to safety takes center stage, promising a thorough review of safety protocols to ensure the well-being of concert attendees. The tour is set to continue in Asia in February.