Buenos Aires Bans Electronic Music Festivals After 5 Die At Time Warp

Buenos Aires' government has taken strong action in reaction to the five deaths that occurred two weeks ago on the first night of the two-night house and techno festival Time Warp. The city government has decided to ban all large-scale electronic music festivals until it decides on a more permanent course of action.

According to the Associated Press, Buenos Aires Mayor Horacio Rodriguez Larreta said the measure would remain in effect until the city legislature can approve a more permanent law that would prevent drug use at these types of events.

Five individuals died and another four were hospitalized in critical condition on the first night of Time Warp Festival on April 15. Five people have been arrested in connection to the drug related incidents.

Many complained that the event was oversold and too crowded to reporters afterwards.

"We couldn't stay inside, we couldn't breathe," one of the participants told local TV channel TN via the BBC.

"It was too hot and there were too many people."

Time Warp's second night was promptly canceled. This was the third year for Time Warp in Buenos Aires. It began in Germany in 1994.

The Buenos Aires city government could continue down the path towards banning all large-scale dance events for fear of more deaths, it could more strictly regulate the events that do happen so some of the issues that occurred with overcrowding and understaffing of medical personnel doesn't happen again or it could try other more liberal courses of action.

It is unclear how long this could take for the government to get legislation passed, but it could impact other brands like Ultra Music Festival, which has an edition in Argentina.