PETALING JAYA: Organisers of the Future Music Festival Asia (FMFA) will not proceed with the last day of the festival after six people died of drug overdose on Friday.
"In the interest of public safety, we have heeded the authority’s advice to not proceed with Day-3 of Future Music Festival Asia 2014.
"This is also to help in the on-going investigation. We appreciate the understanding of all parties and will share updates on this matter as soon as possible,” the organisers said in a statement its Facebook page.
One person died on the spot at the venue in the Bukit Jalil Stadium, while another died on the way to the hospital. Four others died at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital (HUKM).
The six deceased, all Malaysians, were between 21 and 28 years of age.
Another three people, two of whom are in a coma, are in critical condition at both hospitals, said police. Two of them are from Singapore.
Police have already closed the roads leading to Stadium Bukit Jalil and have sealed off some parts of the venue to prevent concert goers from entering the festival grounds.
Major international acts like DJs Martin Garrix and Bassjackers had tweeted pictures of themselves making their way to the venue only to announce that their sets might be cancelled.
Hundreds of people were seen waiting at the festival entrance, unsure if they will be let in.
According to local rapper Sayla, the other performers scheduled for today are also in the dark.
"I don't know what's going on. We're all just hanging out backstage waiting to be told what to do. We've been scheduled to play now but we're still waiting. Bassment Syndicate were supposed to go on before us but they played for a bit and then their set got cut," he said.
Also meant to perform today are music A-listers like Pharrell Williams, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Rudimental.
Hip-hop jazz group Bassment Syndicate had already taken stage only to have their set cut short.
Now in its third year, FMFA has been dubbed the largest music festival in Southeast Asia with an estimate of 85,000 attendees from across the region based on the tickets sold.
The organisers said details of refunds will be announced within one week and that ticket buyers are urged to logon to www.futuremusicfestival.asia for updates.
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