Police investigate drug death at dance festival in Australia

Latest incident at Adelaide Stereosonic comes a week after festivalgoer died at Sydney leg of the event

A teenager has died and two other people are in a critical condition after taking drugs at a dance festival in Australia.

Police are investigating whether there is a link between the suspected cases of overdose at the Adelaide Stereosonic festival. A 19-year-old man died in hospital on Saturday (December 5). Another man and a 21-year-old woman are currently in a critical but stable condition. Major Lazer and Duke Dumont were among the acts performing at the event.

The incident comes a week after festivalgoer Sylvia Choi died of a suspected drug overdose at the event’s Sydney leg.

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Organisers of the festival said they were “devastated to hear of another loss to drugs” and implored people to “be safe”.

Police Superintendent John De Candia said: “I specifically said before this event, police did not want to be in the position of advising a family of such a tragedy. This is the worst possible outcome for them and the wider community.”

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He said police investigating the teenager’s death would look at the origin of pills featuring a $ logo found in his possession, and if they were linked to those taken by the two other people currently in hospital after also attending the event.

Six people were evicted, 34 were refused entry after being detected with drugs, two were detained for drunken behaviour, 23 were issued with drug diversions and 34 pills were seized at the festival, reports The Guardian.

Sixty people were arrested for drug-related offences at Melbourne’s Stereosonic event, also on Saturday.

Organisers of the festival issued a plea via its Facebook page to patrons attending the event in Brisbane yesterday (December 6).

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It stated: “We ask you to please be responsible, look out for each other and don’t be afraid to ask for help if needed. We cannot express our concerns highly enough regarding the dangers of drug use. We have tragically lost two lives to drugs during our festival and while every effort has been made to protect you and keep you safe with our teams of professional medical and security staff, you as individuals need to make smart choices and understand the risks you are taking.

“As media reports have indicated there are various highly dangerous substances on the market and there is no way of knowing what is in them. Do not gamble with your life today.”

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