Calay News
American singer Taylor Swift canceled her second show in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday due to “extreme temperatures,” following the death of a fan during the first of the six scheduled performances in Brazil. The decision was announced in a note shared on Swift’s Instagram account, citing the extreme temperatures in Rio as the reason.
Rio, like several cities in central and southeastern Brazil, is facing a severe heatwave with unusually high temperatures for spring. On Saturday, Rio recorded a maximum temperature of 43.8 degrees Celsius (110.8 degrees Fahrenheit) with a record-breaking heat index of 59.7 degrees Celsius (139.5 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the city’s authorities.
Two factors contributed to the suspension, as explained by Rio’s Mayor Eduardo Paes: Swift’s health concerns and the excessively high temperature inside the stadium, which led to numerous medical attentions. The show has been rescheduled for next Monday.
Earlier, Swift expressed sorrow over the death of a 23-year-old fan who was among the 60,000 people attending the first show. The fan reportedly felt unwell and suffered a cardiopulmonary arrest within the Nilton Santos stadium, where the concert was taking place. Swift shared her devastation on Instagram and stated that she wouldn’t discuss the matter on stage.
The Rio Health Department reported that the young woman died at 8:50 p.m. on Friday after experiencing a health emergency. The cause of death is yet to be determined.
The pop superstar is scheduled to perform two more concerts in Rio and three in Sao Paulo. The organization of the event has faced criticism, particularly for restricting the entry of water bottles into the stadium despite the high temperatures. The Ministry of Justice in Brazil ordered the organizers to ensure free access to personal water bottles and provide water through fountains or distribution.
The event producer, Time For Fun, expressed condolences for the deceased fan and highlighted the additional measures taken to address the heatwave, including new water distribution points and strengthened medical facilities.
