NYC music fest canceled after 2 drug-linked deaths

01 September 2013 - 22:41
By Sapa-AP
DJ Boys Noize, aka Alexander Ridha, performs during Electric Zoo 2013 at Randall's Island in New York City.
Image: Brian Killian/WireImage DJ Boys Noize, aka Alexander Ridha, performs during Electric Zoo 2013 at Randall's Island in New York City.

A New York City dance music festival featuring high-profile acts including Avicii, David Guetta and Diplo has been canceled after the deaths of two attendees were apparently linked to drugs.

The city says it recommended that the Electric Zoo festival not continue Sunday after two people died and four others had to be hospitalized during the first two days of performances on Friday and Saturday. The festival took place on Randall's Island in the East River.

The city says the deaths appear to have been linked to drugs, specifically MDMA, or ecstasy. Definitive causes of death have not yet been determined.

The event's founders expressed condolences on the festival's website to the families of those who died.

The festival has been held over the Labor Day holiday weekend since 2009.