Day 3 of Electric Zoo 2013 Canceled Due to "Health Risks"

Back in June, we thought this year's Electric Zoo wouldn't go down due to issues with the grounds on Randall's Island. We had no idea that what was go

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Back in June, we thought this year's Electric Zoo wouldn't go down due to issues with the grounds on Randall's Island. We had no idea that what was going down on the grounds would cause one of the days of this event to go down. A press release from the NYC Mayor's Office hit this morning saying that Day 3 of the 2013 Electric Zoo festival (aka today, the final day of EZOO) would be canceled due to "health risks." While no reports have hit, there have apparently been two deaths during this year's EZOO, with four others having hit the hospital intensive care units. No causes of death have been reported, but the mayor's office says that they "appear to have involved the drug MDMA (ecstasy, or molly)." This is a growing trend, with deaths being reported at a recent Zedd show and at HARD Summer 2013... both happening this month. And we hate to say it, but we saw this coming.

Today's lineup included Diplo, Steve Aoki, and many others.

At the time of this writing, the Electric Zoo Twitter and Facebook accounts speak nothing of this cancellation, which is interesting when the official press release from NYC says that "[t]he City recommended cancellation and the event promoters have agreed." We will keep you posted on this story as it develops.

UPDATE Electric Zoo has announced the cancellation via Facebook:

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We're seeing a number of people on that very Facebook status bringing up a number of the usual gripes: "that's why events should be 21+," "WE WANT A REFUND RIGHT NOW," and more. While the (tragic) mistakes of a few are definitely impeding the entertainment of many, you have to realize that this was New York's decision. And the fact of the matter is that EDM already has a horrible stigma due to excessive drug us, both real and imaginary. With the scene getting more mainstream every month, you can expect these kinds of cancellations to happen. We imagine that refunds will be sorted out in kind as this develops. Right now, think on those who lost their lives and how we need to combat this stigma head on.

UPDATE While we stress that none of this has been officially confirmed, the NY Post is reporting that the two deaths are apparently a man and woman from Upstate and Rhode Island, respectively, both being pronounced dead at hospitals they were transported to from the Electric Zoo.

UPDATE The official Electric Zoo Facebook page has posted the following message regarding today's cancellation:

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UPDATE The names of the two who died at this year's Electric Zoo have reportedly been confirmed:

UPDATE The Electric Zoo has posted an updated on the refund process:

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UPDATE Made Event has posted details on refunds for Electric Zoo 2013 tickets:

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