A 16-year-old girl died Monday after suffering a medical emergency shortly before entering Stray Kids’ concert during the “Straycity” festival at the San Isidro Racecourse near Buenos Aires, according to Argentine media reports Tuesday.
Emergency personnel at the venue treated the teenager before she was taken to San Isidro Central Hospital about 400 meters away. Doctors attempted to resuscitate her, but she was later pronounced dead after suffering cardiorespiratory arrest.
According to La Nacion, a preliminary autopsy found the death appeared to have been caused by nontraumatic heart failure and was likely natural. Samples were also taken for additional forensic testing, and the exact cause of death and circumstances surrounding the medical emergency are still under investigation.
Concert promoter DF Entertainment expressed condolences in a statement and said it was in contact with the family and cooperating with relevant authorities.
“DF Entertainment deeply regrets this tragic loss and extends its sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased,” the promoter said.
Local authorities said the event had the emergency and medical services required for large-scale performances, including ambulances, first responders, Red Cross personnel, hydration stations and a health plan approved by municipal health officials. Municipal authorities also said the emergency measures had been inspected to ensure they were properly in place and operational.
The incident occurred on the first day of Stray Kids’ two-night run at the venue in Buenos Aires. News regarding the teenage fan’s death surfaced Tuesday as organizers displayed a message in Spanish and English on screens at the venue in memory of the teenager, asking attendees to observe a minute of silence in her memory.
“We were deeply saddened to learn that a fan of the Straycity Festival tragically passed away after experiencing a sudden medical emergency before entering the festival on September 14," read the message in English. "We are deeply saddened by this loss and would like to express our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to the fan's family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time."
Stray Kids’ performance at the San Isidro Racecourse on Monday and Tuesday marked the group's first visit to Argentina.
The group, comprising members Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin and I.N debuted under JYP Entertainment in 2018 and is in the middle of its Latin American festival tour, “Straycity,” set to hit Mexico City on Sept. 25 and 26.
lee.jungjoo@heraldcorp.com
