Tragic Crane Accident Leads to Suspension of AXE Ceremonia Festival

The AXE Ceremonia Festival in Mexico City was abruptly suspended after a crane mishap resulted in the deaths of two young photojournalists over the weekend. The incident occurred at Bicentennial Park, where the festival was actively taking place.

Incident Details

On April 6, 2025, the festival was underway when a decorative metal object being transported by a crane collapsed around 5:30 PM local time, reportedly due to a sudden gust of wind. The tragic accident took the lives of Miguel Angel Rojas, aged 26, and Berenice Giles, aged 28, both of whom were covering the event for the music publication Mr. Indie.

Festival Suspension

Local authorities responded swiftly, closing the festival site and announcing the suspension of events scheduled for April 6 following a thorough inspection of the area. The mayor’s office of Miguel Hidalgo confirmed that seals were placed at the entrances to prevent further activities. “The teams from the Miguel Hidalgo Government and Legal Affairs, along with the borough’s Civil Protection department, completed the inspection and placed suspension seals,” they stated.

Response and Investigation

Following the tragedy, the Mexico City Prosecutor’s Office indicated that they would investigate the circumstances that led to the crane’s collapse. Eyewitness reports suggest that additional cranes not included in the original pre-festival inspection plans may have contributed to the incident.

The festival had continued its planned lineup on Saturday despite the accident, featuring performances from several prominent artists including Charli XCX and Tomorrow X Together. However, performances scheduled for Sunday, which included Massive Attack and Tyler, The Creator, were subsequently cancelled. Festival organizers announced that ticket refunds would be processed through Ticketmaster.

Tributes to the Fallen Photojournalists

Mr. Indie expressed their grief in a heartfelt statement: “With deep sadness we say goodbye to our friends and colleagues, Berenice Giles and Miguel Hernandez, who lost their lives while doing their journalistic work.” The statement highlighted the dedication and passion both journalists brought to their craft, emphasizing their role in the publication.

“We want to honor their dedication, their love for music and photography, and their commitment to this project,” Mr. Indie added.

Ongoing Support and Safety Measures

The festival’s team extended their condolences to the families of Rojas and Giles and promised to support them during this difficult time. Acknowledging the tragedy, the festival administration reaffirmed their commitment to the safety of all attendees, maintaining active communication with authorities to ensure compliance with safety regulations.

As the investigation unfolds, further updates regarding the incident and the festival will be shared through official channels to keep the community informed.