The Electric Zoo music festival in New York City was canceled on Sunday following the death of two concertgoers and at least four critically-ill attendees during the first two days of the event, said city officials. The deaths appear to have involved MDMA, or (as so often referenced in music) molly.
The full statement from the NYC Mayor’s office reads:
“Due to serious health risks, the Electric Zoo music festival on Randall’s Island on Sunday, September 1st has been cancelled. The City recommended cancellation and the event promoters have agreed.
During the first two days of the Electric Zoo music festival, two concert-goers have died and at least four others became critically ill and have been placed in intensive care at area hospitals. Definitive causes of death have not yet been determined, however, both appear to have involved the drug MDMA (ecstasy, or molly). The Electric Zoo organizers have worked with City officials to reduce health risks at this event, but in view of these occurrences, the safest course is to cancel the remaining day of the event.”
The dead concertgoers have been identified as 24-year-old Jeffrey Russ of Rochester, NY and 20-year-old Olivia Rotondo of Providence, RI.
Electric Zoo is in its fifth year.
