The world of K-pop is reeling after a tragic accident at the AXE Ceremonia 2025 festival in Mexico City. Two journalists, Berenice Giles Rivera and Miguel Ángel Rojas Hernández, are losing their lives when a metal structure collapsed on April 5th. The South Korean group Tomorrow X Together (TXT) is currently expressing their deepest condolences and demonstrating solidarity with the victims and their families.
TXT's Heartfelt Response to the Tragedy
According to El Imparcial (2025), the accident occurred at Parque Bicentenario during the preparations for Meme del Real's performance. A large metal structure, weighing over 2,500 kilograms, collapsed, leading to the immediate deaths of the two journalists from the independent media outlet Mr. Indie. Authorities are currently investigating the cause, with initial reports suggesting a strong gust of wind as a possible factor.
Despite proceeding with their scheduled performance, TXT swiftly addressed the tragedy. On April 6th, they shared a message on X, expressing their sincere condolences. «This is TOMORROW X TOGETHER. We extend our deepest condolences regarding the tragic incident at the festival. Our thoughts and prayers are with the deceased, and we offer our heartfelt sympathies to their family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time» (TXT, 2025). This message, as reported by El Imparcial (2025), reflects the group's deep sorrow and respect for those affected.
A Symbolic Gesture of Mourning
Further demonstrating their solidarity, the members of TXT – Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Hueningkai – were seen at the Mexico City International Airport dressed in black. This act, a traditional Korean custom, is demonstrating respect and mourning. It's a visual representation of their shared grief and support for the bereaved families.
Festival Organizers and Official Investigations
The organizers of AXE Ceremonia are also responding to the tragedy. They released a statement expressing their support for the victims' families and assuring full cooperation with the ongoing investigation (El Imparcial, 2025). The second day of the festival, originally scheduled for April 6th, has been canceled, and ticket refunds are currently being processed through Ticketmaster.
The Mexico City Attorney General's Office is opening a formal investigation into the incident, focusing on several key areas. According to El Imparcial (2025), these areas include:
- The responsibility of the company operating the machinery involved.
- Compliance with Civil Protection regulations by the festival organizers.
- The actions of authorities in supervising the festival's safety.
The mayor of Miguel Hidalgo, Mauricio Tabe, is revealing that the cranes used at the festival were not registered with the Civil Protection Program and were installed without proper notification (El Imparcial, 2025). This oversight is emerging as a significant factor in the structure's collapse. Additionally, Tabe mentioned that a mass evacuation was not executed due to fears of a stampede, which could be aggravating the situation.
Ongoing Investigation and Search for Answers
Fiscal Bertha Alcalde Luján is emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the investigation. «We are working diligently to uncover all the facts and determine the exact cause of this devastating accident» (Alcalde Luján, 2025). The investigation is aiming to determine if negligence or procedural violations contributed to the tragedy.
The incident is raising serious questions about safety protocols at large-scale events and the responsibilities of organizers and regulatory bodies. As the investigation is unfolding, the music community and the public are grieving the loss of Berenice Giles Rivera and Miguel Ángel Rojas Hernández and demanding accountability.
References
El Imparcial. (2025, April 8). Banda de Kpop, TXT, se pronuncia sobre la tragedia en AXE Ceremonia; rinden pequeño homenaje. Retrieved from https://www.elimparcial.com/espectaculos/2025/04/08/banda-de-kpop-txt-se-pronuncia-sobre-la-tragedia-en-axe-ceremonia-rinden-pequeno-homenaje/
TXT [Tomorrow X Together]. (2025, April 6). [X Post about AXE Ceremonia tragedy] [Tweet]. X. (Original tweet unavailable)
