Overview

• A former senior manager described the festival’s expanded 210,000-capacity layout as a “disaster waiting to happen,” warning that deadly crowd crushes could occur.
• He said widespread drug consumption among attendees and staff prompted emergency medical calls every 15 to 20 minutes last year.
• Organisers convened an emergency meeting after forecasting that a mass influx to a smaller stage for Charli XCX could pose serious safety risks.
• Festival-goers reported that overcrowding forced the temporary closure of smaller stages and halted a Bicep performance over safety fears.
• Officials countered that a 500-strong team and rigorous dynamic crowd-management planning keep attendee safety at the forefront.