On April 5, 2025, the AXE Ceremonia music festival at Mexico City’s Parque Bicentenario was overshadowed by a tragic accident that claimed the lives of two photographers, Berenice Giles Rivera and Miguel Ángel Hernández. The incident occurred around 5:00 p.m. when a decorative metal structure, being maneuvered by a crane, collapsed due to a sudden gust of wind, leading to fatal injuries for both individuals.
Incident Details
The structure’s collapse happened during a performance by Meme del Real, a member of Café Tacvba. Despite the severity of the accident, festival activities continued for several hours before official suspension. The second day of the festival, scheduled for April 6, was subsequently canceled.
Victims’ Profiles
Berenice Giles Rivera and Miguel Ángel Hernández were dedicated photographers covering the event for the media outlet Mr. Indie. Their untimely deaths have deeply affected the journalistic and music communities. Mr. Indie released a statement expressing profound sorrow:
“Con profunda tristeza despedimos a nuestros amigos y compañeros Berenice Giles y Miguel Hernández, quienes perdieron la vida mientras realizaban su labor periodística.”
Official Responses
The Secretaría de Gestión Integral de Riesgos y Protección Civil attributed the accident to inadequate supervision of preventive measures by both the event organizers and the operational areas of the Miguel Hidalgo borough. The Fiscalía General de Justicia de la Ciudad de México has initiated an investigation to determine responsibility.
Public Reaction and Memorials
The tragedy has sparked widespread indignation, particularly regarding the continuation of the festival after the accident and the perceived lack of timely communication from organizers. In response, colleagues and friends organized a vigil and protest at Parque Bicentenario to honor the memory of the deceased photographers and demand justice.
Festival’s Statement and Founder’s Actions
The festival organizers issued a statement expressing solidarity with the victims’ families and announced the cancellation of the festival’s second day. Notably, Diego Jiménez Labora, founder of AXE Ceremonia, reportedly closed his social media accounts following the incident, a move that has been met with public criticism.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the structural collapse. Preliminary findings suggest that the decorative structure was installed without proper authorization and was not present during initial safety inspections. The investigation aims to hold accountable those responsible for the oversight.
The tragic loss of Berenice Giles Rivera and Miguel Ángel Hernández has cast a somber shadow over the AXE Ceremonia festival, prompting calls for enhanced safety measures at public events and greater accountability from organizers.