#FMFA2014 Shocker: Deaths Were Actually Caused By Heatstroke, Not Drug Overdose
Even the concert organisers had no idea about the actual cause of death… until now.
Cover image via kompasiana.comFor over a year, we've all been led to believe that the deaths of six concertgoers in FMFA 2014 were due to drug overdose. Following that, several music festivals and concerts have been cancelled by authorities due to fear of potential drug abuse at these events.
Shortly after news of the supposed drug-related deaths broke out, organisers of [Life In Color Malaysia](http://says.com/my/entertainment/life-in-colour-world-s-largest-paint-party-malaysia-cancels-show) decided to cancel the "World's Largest Paint Party" while authorities in Pahang cancelled the license for the [Kuantan Music Festival](http://says.com/my/entertainment/kuantan-music-festival-cancels).
Most recently, [Future Music Festival Asia (FMFA) 2015](http://says.com/my/entertainment/avicii-the-prodigy-and-more-to-headline-the-biggest-ever-fmfa2015-in-singapore) in Singapore had to be called off due to "serious concerns" of potential drug abuse while [Thirst 2015: We Are All Stardust](http://says.com/my/entertainment/thirst-2015-has-been-cancelled-here-s-future-sound-asia-s-official-statement) was cancelled mere hours before it was scheduled to begin.
That's no longer the case. According to a report by The Star, post-mortem results have showed that the deaths were actually caused by heatstroke and not from taking large doses of drugs, as was implied by police statements.
Two out of the 16 who were brought to the hospital in critical condition had no trace of drugs in their system while the rest tested positive for MDMA, ketamine and morphine.
Image via Astro Awani
The post-mortem results were said to have been released two months after the deaths.
However, the authorities did not make the results known and continued to use the supposed drug-related deaths as a reason to cancel similar events, even after the pathologist involved in the case sent several detailed reports to correct police statements.
Image via The Star Online
According to Dr. Nadesan, UMMC handled the autopsies for three of the dead and also treated nine others. He noted that two of the victims had no trace of drugs in their system while the rest tested positive for MDMA (ecstasy), ketamine and morphine – but not enough to kill them.
Image via Murai.com.my
Dr. Nadesan ruled heatstroke to be the main cause of death after autopsies were done on the "virtually dried up" bodies, one of which had a temperature of 39°C. He further added that the hot weather, combined with the lack of fluids and physical overexertion on the victims' part might've led to the tragedy.
Image via Future Music Festival Asia
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital (HUKM), which handled the autopsies for the remaining three victims, declined to reveal the post-mortem results.
However, KL Criminal Investigation Department chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Zainuddin Ahmad has confirmed that the sudden death reports on the six deceased concertgoers lists heatstroke as the cause of death.
Image via The Star
Meanwhile, FMFA's organisers expressed their surprise over Dr. Nadesan's revelations, as they have been kept in the dark over the six people's cause of deaths and their requests to view the victims' toxicology reports were denied
Iqbal Ameer (Director of Livescapeasia) & Brett Robinson (Festival Director of Future Music Festival) at FMFA 2014's official press conference after the cancellation was announced.
Image via PopSpoken
Livescape CEO Muhammad Iqbal Ameer said that the incident and its relation to drug abuse has not only impacted the FMFA brand but also the local live events industry, adding that event organisers are hoping for better transparency and cooperation from the authorities in ensuring safety in such events
Iqbal said Livescape was not disputing the call made by the police in the interest of public safety, saying, "I believe what all event organisers want is better transparency and for the authorities to see the economic benefits of these events we are organising and to work together with us to ensure safe events."
"With how things are going now, no one wins. **Will the fans be able to see another music festival take place in Malaysia? Could huge financial losses to other event organisers due to last-minute cancellations or objections be avoided?** And more importantly, **could lives have been saved if transparent and accurate information was released in the first place?**" he asked.
When asked if Livescape was considering legal action, he said his company only wanted "answers and the truth".
Image via FMFA
On Dr. Nadesan's remark on the lack of access to water at the festival, Iqbal clarified that there were sufficient measures in place to keep concertgoers healthy and hydrated in addition to adequate on-site medical assistance
He said the festival had adhered to an international event organising standard under the Code of Practice and Event Management Guide, adding that the organiser also had 34 paramedics, seven ambulances and an onsite emergency trauma centre.
