Overview
- Nearly 90 drones reportedly plunged into Darling Harbour during the Monday Star-Bound performance, forcing that show to be called off and prompting immediate safety checks.
- Vivid Sydney announced on Saturday that all remaining drone shows for the festival have been cancelled and that fireworks will run in the scheduled drone time slots.
- SKYMAGIC, the drone operator, said an unforeseen change in the radio-frequency environment after take-off triggered a failsafe response and that it is working with relevant authorities to identify the source.
- A retrieval operation for the fallen drones is under way and organisers say recovery planning is being coordinated with specialist operators and government agencies because of safety and environmental concerns.
- The drone display returned this year after a 2025 pause for safety reasons, and the incident has reopened questions about the reliability and public safety of large-scale drone spectacles at major events.