The concert was held in a stadium during a heatwave. The temperatures were reported to be over 40degC, and fans waited outside for hours. With the high humidity, this would have felt like almost 60degC, according to a measure known as the “heat index”.
In addition to the death, fans also reported burning after touching hot metal railings and floors.
There have been other similar events
The Swift concert was the result of inadequate preparation for extreme weather during a large event. This is not an isolated incident. In 2023, there will be a list of large gatherings and events that are affected by extreme weather.
A Beyonce concert took place in Washington DC’s stadium during extreme weather conditions. It was heavy rain with lightning this time. The attendees were instructed to take shelter.
The lightning posed an immediate threat to their safety. The stadium was ordered to provide shelter for those inside. After the incident, it was reported that several fans received treatment for Heat Exhaustion.
The shelter-in-place directive could have caused overcrowding, increasing the possibility of an incident, such as a crush.
Ed Sheeran’s concert in a Pittsburgh stadium during a heatwave in July.
Hospitalisation was required for 17 people. Heat exhaustion, two cardiac arrests, and heat stroke were among the health emergencies.
Prepare yourself
Extreme weather events are more intense and frequent as a result of climate change. Risk assessments should therefore include detailed weather monitoring as well as structural assessments of outdoor setups, to ensure, for example, that shade structures can cope with crowds.
Also, contingency plans are needed for rapid response. Included in these plans are plans for supplying water and protective equipment (such as plastic ponchos), as well as timely safety instructions and information.
Planning should not only consider the possibility of extreme weather, but also its impact on infrastructure and crowd control.
Read more: From Burning Man to Woodstock to Fyre Festival: what turns a festival into a disaster?
Artists play a role too
Artists can play an important role in public security during extreme weather conditions. While event organizers and venues are the ones who have primary responsibility for safety, they also need to be informed about identified potential risks and planned countermeasures. We need to inform them about the risks identified and countermeasures planned.
Artists can, for example, influence the crowd’s behaviour in a positive way and prevent catastrophes, like a crush of the crowd. They can make an appeal for calmness or announce any evacuation procedures.
Swift asked crew members to give water to fans in the latest incident.
Taylor Swift’s fans in Brazil waited for the concert in extreme heat. Silvia Izquierdo/AP/AAP Photos
Safety is paramount
Preparedness and awareness of extreme weather conditions is also important for people who attend large events.
Effectively disseminating information about safety can also help attendees make informed decisions.
An event organizer can send all attendees a text message warning them of the upcoming weather and reminding them to bring water or sunscreen.
Read more: Astroworld tragedy: here’s how concert organisers can prevent big crowds turning deadly
We can expect more of these events
The tragedy at the Swift concert, and other similar incidents, are not isolated events but rather part of a larger trend. Extreme weather events are more likely to occur at large gatherings due to climate change.
We must, therefore, consider this when planning future events and assessing the risks associated with them. It is important to do this in order to make sure that these events remain memorable celebrations and not avoidable disasters.