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Sep 18, 2018 / 08:25

Seven dead after music gala in Hanoi, tested positive for drug

Police found materials suspected to be drugs at the event.

Hanoi police confirmed on September 17 that Seven persons died after participating in the music gala named “Trip to the moon” at the West Lake Water Park in Hanoi’s Tay Ho district on September 16 night and all the tested positive for drugs.

At around 11pm on September 16, Tay Ho district police was informed by the Hanoi Heart Hospital that two men had been brought to the hospital in the state of stopping heart. Despite emergency treatment, the two later died at 11:45pm that night. 

The district police coordinated with the municipal police and relevant agency to launch an investigation into the case, which showed that before being taken to hospital, the two men had attended the music gala at the water park, which began at 7pm on September 16. According to the event’s permit, it had expected to attract a crowd of 5,000. 
 
The music gala at West Lake water park on September 16 attracted thousands of participants. Photo: Hai Quan
The music gala at West Lake water park on September 16 attracted thousands of participants. Photo: Hai Quan
The investigation also revealed that Hospital E received eight patients in critical status, among whom one died on the way to hospital, four died at the hospital and the remaining three are in a coma. Bach Mai Hospital also received two patients who are currently also in a coma. 

As of late morning of September 17, the authorities affirmed that seven people had died and five were in a coma in association with the case. All of them tested positive for drugs. 

Hanoi police identified seven dead and five coma people were positive for drug. At the scene of the festival, police collected "laughing balls" (balls that contain nitrous oxide) and some tablets that are suspected to be synthetic drugs, said Vo Bich Thuy, spokesperson of Tay Ho district government.
 
Police investigated the scene on September 17. Photo: Ba Do
Police investigated the scene on September 17. Photo: Ba Do
Chairman of People's Committee of Tay Ho district Do Anh Tuan confirmed that the authority is taking an examination of the site where the music gala took place and they found materials suspected to be drugs. Further investigation into the case is still underway.

The police say the would consider prosecute the case once having gathered enough evidences.

Hanoi stops permitting performance in crowded places

Truong Minh Tien, deputy director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, said that the entire process of receiving dossiers was in compliance with law. This program with the participation of four foreign artists was licensed by the city.

Tien also said that city-level events are coordinated by the Hanoi police and have their own protection plans. The incident was unfortunate.

Chairman of the People's Committee of Tay Ho district Do Anh Tuan said that the event was jointly held by Water Park and Asia Company, but the district’s People's Committee also directed the district and ward police to to ensure security.

Before the music gala took place, the district People's Committee had coordinated with other industries for "trial run". Accordingly, Tuan said that the municipal People's Committee had followed the legal procedures.

Tran Xuan Ha, deputy head of the Hanoi Party Committee's Propaganda and Training Department, said that Hanoi's Chairman Nguyen Duc Chung had assigned to direct the investigation. The city also stopped licensing mass performing events until finding out the reasons why seven people died at the “Trip to the moon” music gala.