Time Warp Argentina 2015. Photo by Margarita Fracman
On April 15th, reports began to arise that people had died following drug usage at Time Warp in Buenos Aires, Argentina. According to the reports, several other people had been rushed to the hospital as a result of complications caused by both drug overdose and festival conditions that included over-crowding and lack of easy access to water or other means of hydration.
Today the The Guardian reports that Buenos Aires mayor, Horacio Rodriguez Larreta, has put a temporary ban on all major electronic music festivals until new city legislature is passed to combat drug usage at these events.
Five people have already been arrested following the events of that fateful weekend, where attendees reported being offered designer drugs including ecstasy pills, doses of LSD, marijuana, poppers and cocaine as well as suffering from lack of ventilation and an oversold festival that meant hour-long lines for water. Due to the incidents on the first day of the festival the second night was promptly canceled.
Time Warp issued the following statement via Facebook on the 21st of April. No further statement has been released since:
“We are dismayed and deeply saddened by the death of five young people at Time Warp Buenos Aires. Our thoughts are with the relatives of the deceased and the five visitors who are still under medical treatment. We pray for their quick recovery.
The German Time Warp companies, “Planwerk Events GmbH & Co KG“ and “cosmopop GmbH“, were not in any way involved in the local organization and planning of the festival. We are listening to your complaints. At the moment we are trying to get a clear picture.
The organizer of the event will refund the money for the second day, corresponding to the value of your ticket. Please email info@multiticket.com.ar to obtain your refund.
We will keep you updated.”
