By Özlem Evans
Tragedy at Taylor Swift’s (33) concert in Rio de Janeiro…
The superstar played the first of three shows in the coastal Brazilian city on Friday. In honor of the singer, the famous Christ statue was even lit up with the words “Welcome to Brazil”. But the concert series is overshadowed by the death of a young woman.
A 23-year-old student, Ana Clara Benevides, collapsed at the Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos and was taken to the hospital, where she eventually died of cardiac arrest.
Her death was confirmed to the Brazilian daily Folha de S. Paulo by Benevides’ cousin Estela Benevides.
It’s unclear whether Ana Clara was able to catch Taylor Swift’s performance, which began around 7:30 p.m. local time.
Heat wave in Brazil
Brazil is currently suffering from a severe heat wave. In Rio de Janeiro and other regions, especially in the center and south of the country, over 40 degrees were measured in the previous days. The perceived temperature at the venue was an incredible 60 degrees Celsius.
Fans scream for water
According to Folha, about a thousand fainting episodes were recorded by firefighters at the Swift concert. Fans claim on social media that they were not allowed to bring water bottles into the stadium – despite the unbearable record heat.
They released videos showing Swift stopping the show to alert organizers that fans were not feeling well.
“There are people who need water here,” she said, pointing to an area in the audience. “Whoever is responsible for this, please take care of it. Can I get a sign that you know where they are?”
The superstar also threw a water bottle into the audience himself.
Swift’s words after the tragedy
Shortly after her concert, Taylor Swift addressed her fans on her Instagram page with a handwritten message, expressing her shock at the death in the stadium.
“I can’t believe I’m writing these words, but it is with a shattered heart that I have to say we lost a fan before my show tonight. “I can’t express how devastated I am,” Swift said.
“There is very little information that I have other than the fact that she was incredibly beautiful and way too young,” she continues.
The singer also explains that she will not address the fan’s death on stage because it would be too difficult for her. Taylor continued: “This is the last thing I ever thought would happen when we decided to bring the show to Brazil.”