Ozora Festival cut short after two deaths in Hungary

The Ozora Festival in central Hungary will end its music programmes earlier than planned after two people died, organisers said on Sunday.

Police told local news site FEOL that a 45-year-old American man climbed onto a set piece around the main stage on Saturday and fell to the ground, fatally. Authorities and organisers said they believed he likely took his own life intentionally.

FEOL also reported that a 39-year-old Hungarian woman died earlier on Saturday after a medical emergency that was probably due to intense heat. Attempts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful.

Organisers said on Facebook that all music programmes would end at midnight on Sunday, including at the Pumpui stage. Performances there had previously been scheduled to continue until early Monday.

The one-week festival is described as one of the world’s largest psychedelic trance gatherings and attracts tens of thousands of people each year. Hungary has been under its highest heat alert since Thursday, with maximum temperatures reaching 40C over the weekend.