Rio de Janeiro – November 19, 2023
A somber cloud looms over Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as a 23-year-old fan, Ana Clara Benevides Machado, tragically lost her life during the Friday night concert, prompting calls for changes in concert safety protocols.
While the cause of Ana Clara’s death has not been officially disclosed, reports indicate that fans were denied entry with water bottles despite soaring temperatures. Rio de Janeiro’s mayor, Eduardo Paes, has demanded immediate changes to prevent a recurrence during Swift’s remaining two shows in the city.
Expressing her grief on Instagram, Swift posted, “I have a shattered heart,” and revealed feeling overwhelmed when attempting to discuss the tragedy. The singer lamented the loss of a young and beautiful fan, Ana Clara, stating, “There’s very little information I have other than the fact that she was so incredibly beautiful and far too young.”
According to a statement from Time4Fun, the concert organizer, Ana Clara sought medical attention after feeling unwell and was initially attended to at the stadium’s first aid center. Unfortunately, she passed away an hour later at the hospital.
Local media highlighted the absence of water bottles inside the Nilton Santos Olympic stadium, where fans queued for hours under scorching temperatures during Rio’s record-breaking heat wave. One of Ana Clara’s friends, who attended the concert with her, revealed that she passed out during Swift’s performance of “Cruel Summer.”
“We always said that when (Taylor Swift) came to Brazil, we would find a way to go. The ticket was very expensive, but we still found a way,” the friend shared with G1 shortly after the tragic incident.
Justice Minister Flávio Dino announced the implementation of “emergency rules” regarding access to water at shows and public events, emphasizing the need for immediate action to address such safety concerns.
Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes labeled the loss of a young life as “unacceptable” and pledged that the municipality would demand enhanced safety measures for the remaining shows. This includes new water distribution points, additional emergency personnel, and an earlier entrance time to mitigate the risks associated with the extreme heat.
As the authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding Ana Clara’s death, Taylor Swift faces the challenging task of continuing her tour in Rio, with two more shows scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. Swift expressed her disbelief, stating that this tragedy was the last thing she ever thought would happen when deciding to bring her tour to Brazil.