Getty Image / Buda Mendes
The record-setting ‘Eras Tour’ has been a source of joy for millions across the United States and in a few international cities as Taylor Swift has shared her chart-topping music with the world. But, tragedy struck on Friday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when a concertgoer died after falling ill at the concert.
This has been reported by Folha De S. Paolo, the paper of record in Brazil. To make an American equivalent, they would have the same credibility as the New York Times or Wall Street Journal when it comes to having high journalistic integrity on news events such as deaths.
According to the article, Ana Clara Benevides, 22, was part of the floor area, which is general admission seating for shows in Rio, a common practice for major South American concerts. She fell ill, like many did at the concert due to a heat index that reached a whopping 140 degrees, Fahrenheit. She was given medical attention at the concert venue, and was revived, but fell unconscious a time later, and died at a Rio-area hospital. This information was given to the paper via Benevides’ cousin.
This is an unspeakable tragedy, and our thoughts at BroBible go out to her loved ones.
Firefighters told the Folha De S. Paolo that unofficially, 1000 fans passed out due to heat exhaustion at the venue. Fans on social media complained about the ban on bringing water bottles into the Estádio Nilton Santos, where an estimated 60,000 packed in to see the pop star.
The water situation was simply untenable for many fans. It appears that Swift’s team did her best to try to get water to those on the floor.
Taylor Swift helps fans chant “Water” in order to get security & staff to bring water to fans who were suffering of dehydration.
The stadium where the Brazilian show was held banned fans from bringing water bottles.
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) November 18, 2023
do you know how insane it is for taylor herself to have to throw water bottles as hard as she can because AN ESTABLISHED VENUE refused to provide water during a heatwave and restricted a human right to water
T4F EXIGIMOS RESPEITOpic.twitter.com/SZf5BrtJ1p— la lesbian fight club (@unIoverscIub) November 18, 2023
UPDATE 1:30 AM ET
Taylor Swift has released a statement via her Instagram story, confirming the death, saying the following.
I can’t believe I’m writing these words but it is with a shattered heart that I say we lost a fan earlier tonight before my show. I can’t even tell you how devastated I am by this. There’s very little information I have other than the fact that she was far too beautiful and far too young.
I’m not going to be able to speak about this from the stage because I feel overwhelmed by grief when I even try to talk about it. I want to say noww I feel this loss deeply and my broken heart goes out to her family and friends. This is the last thing I ever thought would happen when we decided to bring this tour to Brazil.
There as been no word given on whether the shows on Saturday and Sunday will go on as planned. The forecast in Rio for Saturday is sweltering, with temperatures expected to reach the mid-90s and humidity over 80%. Those conditions are similar to the ones on Friday in the city.