Festival Axe Ceremonia Suspended After Tragic Deaths at Parque Bicentenario
Mexico City is reeling after a tragic incident at the Axe Ceremonia festival, leading to its suspension by the Miguel Hidalgo borough authorities. The first day of the event, held at Parque Bicentenario, was marred by the collapse of a metallic structure, resulting in the deaths of two attendees. Authorities are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident, focusing on potential negligence by the event organizers.
According to a statement released by the Secretaría de Gestión Integral de Riesgos y PC, the collapse occurred on Saturday afternoon, prompting an immediate response from emergency services. Paramedics arrived on the scene and transported the injured to the Rubén Leñero hospital, where they tragically succumbed to their injuries. The area around the accident, located approximately 20 meters from the press room, was quickly secured.
Official Response and Investigation
The Miguel Hidalgo borough swiftly announced the suspension of the festival's second day, emphasizing the need to ensure the safety of all attendees. In a statement posted on X, the borough stated, «We must guarantee the safety of all attendees and assess the viability of continuing the event» (Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, 2025). The borough further clarified that the suspension would remain in effect until the facts surrounding the incident are clarified, attributing the cause to the private event organizers.
The primary cause of the suspension, according to the Miguel Hidalgo borough, stems from the undisclosed installation of cranes by the organizers. These cranes were not included in the special program submitted to the authorities, nor were they present during the inspection conducted by the borough, the City Government, and the Fire Department on Friday. «At the time of the review yesterday, in which various agencies of the CDMX Government and the AMH participated, these cranes were not installed on the site. It was a last-minute decision by the private organizers to install them today during the concert, which resulted in the collapse that injured two people, who unfortunately lost their lives after being transferred to the Rubén Leñero hospital. This non-compliance, which was never reported to the borough in the special program, is the reason for the suspension,» the borough stated.
The Dirección de Gobierno y Jurídico of the Miguel Hidalgo borough, along with the Protección Civil team, conducted a thorough verification at Parque Bicentenario, leading to the immediate suspension of activities organized by the private company. The suspension will remain in place until the causes of the accident are clarified and responsibilities are assigned, which the borough asserts fall directly on the organizers due to their negligence and non-compliance with regulations.
Reactions and Aftermath
Despite the suspension, reports from attendees on social media indicated that the closing activities of the first day continued as normal. The festival staff established a security perimeter to manage the situation and prevent the recording of the tragedy.
Clara Brugada, the Head of Government of Mexico City, expressed her condolences via X, stating, «My solidarity with family and friends of the people who unfortunately lost their lives after the accident» (Brugada Molina, 2025). She also acknowledged the swift response from the Policía Bancaria e Industrial, the Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana, and the Secretaría de Gestión Integral de Riesgos y PC.
Moving Forward: Ensuring Safety at Future Events
The Miguel Hidalgo borough has affirmed its commitment to upholding the law and ensuring compliance with all requirements for private events, prioritizing prevention and the safety of attendees. The incident is prompting a broader review of safety protocols and oversight measures for large-scale events in Mexico City. The focus is now on preventing similar tragedies and ensuring that event organizers adhere to the highest standards of safety and transparency.
The Importance of Regulatory Compliance
This tragic event underscores the critical importance of strict adherence to safety regulations and comprehensive risk assessment for all public gatherings. Authorities are emphasizing the need for event organizers to provide complete and accurate information regarding all structures and equipment used at events. The lives of attendees depend on these measures, and any negligence or non-compliance will be met with severe consequences.
What’s Next?
As investigations continue, families and friends of the victims are «receiving» support while the city is «grappling» with questions about safety protocols and event oversight. The incident is «serving» as a stark reminder of the responsibilities that come with organizing large-scale public events, while authorities are «working» to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
