MELBOURNE: Two people died, a dozen more were hospitalised and hundreds others sought medical assistance after suspected drug overdoses at a music festival in Sydney, the police said.

A 23-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman died on Saturday after collapsing at the Defqon.1 festival, the police said. Two of the 13 hospitalised people remain in critical condition, while about 700 sought assistance on site.

The police has charged 10 people with drug supply offences, including two teenagers who allegedly carried 120 capsules to the festival, held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.

In 2015, a 26-year-old man died while attending the festival and in 2013 a 23-year-old man died, both of suspected drug overdose.

The organisers of the dance, trance and techno annual music festival, held in Australia since 2009, say on their website that the festival has a zero-tolerance policy on illegal drugs.

"We want to make you aware that the use of illicit substances carries a range of health risks including the possibility of death, and is strictly forbidden at this event," Defqon.1 says it in its statement.

The organisers, Q-Dance Australia, part of the Dutch event organiser Q-Dance, were not immediately available to comment.</s>Two people died, a dozen more were hospitalised and hundreds others sought medical assistance after suspected drug overdoses at a music festival in Sydney, the police said.

Two people died, a dozen more were hospitalised and hundreds others sought medical assistance after suspected drug overdoses at a music festival in Sydney, the police said.

A 23-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman died on Saturday after collapsing at the Defqon.1 festival, the police said. Two of the 13 hospitalised people remain in critical condition, while about 700 sought assistance on site.

The police has charged 10 people with drug supply offences, including two teenagers who allegedly carried 120 capsules to the festival, held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.

"I'm absolutely aghast at what has occurred, I don't want any family to go through the tragedy that some families are waking up to this morning, it's just horrible to think about," the premier of the Australian state of New South Wales, Gladys Berejiklian, said.

"This is an unsafe event and I'll be doing everything I can to make sure it never happens again," she added.

In 2013 and 2015, two men in their 20s died while attending the festival, both of suspected drug overdose.

The festival, an annual event held in Australia since 2009, has been organised by Q-Dance Australia, part of the Dutch event organiser Q-Dance.

On Sunday, the organisers said they were "deeply saddened" by the deaths.

"We are disappointed at the number of reported drug-related incidents, we have a zero-tolerance policy in relation to drug use at the festival," Defqon.1 said in a statement published by the Sydney Morning Herald.</s>Health professionals estimate that on average around three young people are dying from drug overdoses at Australian music festivals every year.

Experts are now calling on the government to set up an "authoritive database" to better understand – and combat – fatal overdoses at dance parties given reliable figures aren't publicly available.

The push comes after two people died at Sydney's Defqon.1 music festival over the weekend from suspected overdoses. Two people remain in a critical condition, with hundreds seeking medical assistance.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has vowed to stamp out the hardcore dance party for good, but health experts say more needs to be done if the problem is to be tackled long-term.

Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation president Dr Alex Wodack said it is a shame the federal government doesn't provide readily-available statistics on the number of people who have died from overdoses at local music festivals. He said a lack of objective data is stifling debate and good policy.</s>MELBOURNE: Two people died, a dozen more were hospitalised and hundreds others sought medical assistance after suspected drug overdoses at a music festival in Sydney, the police said.

A 23-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman died on Saturday after collapsing at the Defqon.1 festival, the police said. Two of the 13 hospitalised people remain in critical condition, while about 700 sought assistance on site.

The police has charged 10 people with drug supply offences, including two teenagers who allegedly carried 120 capsules to the festival, held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.

"I'm absolutely aghast at what has occurred, I don't want any family to go through the tragedy that some families are waking up to this morning, it's just horrible to think about," the premier of the Australian state of New South Wales, Gladys Berejiklian, said.

"This is an unsafe event and I'll be doing everything I can to make sure it never happens again," she added.

In 2013 and 2015, two men in their 20s died while attending the festival, both of suspected drug overdose.

The festival, an annual event held in Australia since 2009, has been organised by Q-Dance Australia, part of the Dutch event organiser Q-Dance.

On Sunday, the organisers said they were "deeply saddened" by the deaths.

"We are disappointed at the number of reported drug-related incidents, we have a zero-tolerance policy in relation to drug use at the festival," Defqon.1 said in a statement published by the Sydney Morning Herald.</s>TWO young revellers have tragically died after collapsing at a Sydney music festival from suspected drug overdoses and another two are critically ill.

Emergency services responded to multiple reports of suspected drug overdoses at the Defqon1 music festival, which marked its 10th anniversary overnight, in Sydney's west yesterday.

The annual event - featuring hardcore techno, house and trance music, and dubbed by organisers as "the world's largest harder styles festival" - attracted about 30,000 revellers to the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith. But just a few hours into the night, tragedy struck.

A 23-year-old man and 21-year-old woman who both collapsed around 9pm were transported from the venue to Nepean Hospital but died soon after.

A 19-year-old man from Artarmon was flown from the festival to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition. He remains in intensive care. A fourth reveller - a 26-year-old woman from Jamisontown - also remains in hospital in a critical condition.

Police said 13 festival-goers attended Nepean Hospital overnight for treatment for drug-related issues, while as many as 700 people sought assistance from medical staff on-site.

Defqon1 Australia organisers this morning released a statement to news.com.au in response to the deaths.

"The organisers of Defqon.1 Australia are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of two of their patrons at Nepean Hospital after attending the festival last night and would like to convey their sincerest condolences to their families and friends," the statement read.

"Thoughts and prayers are also with the young man and woman who are still in a critical condition.

"We are disappointed at the number of reported drug related incidents, we have a zero-tolerance policy in relation to drug use at the festival."

Festival organisers are working closely and cooperating with the authorities regarding the fatalities and the number of medical presentations made during the evening, a full investigation is currently underway, the statement continued.

"As this is a matter with the NSW Police and the coroner and out of respect for the families and friends we are not going to speculate on the cause of death and we will not be making any further statements or comments," it said.

A total of 10 people, including two 17-year-old girls who allegedly carried 120 capsules internally into the venue, have been charged with drug supply offences; three are due in court today.

A range of illicit drugs were seized including MDMA, cocaine and ecstasy.

In a statement, police said a total of 355 drug searches were conducted with 69 people found to be in possession of drugs, including the 10 charged with supply offences.

"A multifaceted operation was undertaken at the festival with resources including the Nepean PAC, Police Transport Command, North West Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squad, NWM OSG, and the Police Dog Unit," the statement read.

Defqon.1 organisers had warned ticket holders the festival's drug policy was zero tolerance.

"This means that all types of soft- and hard drugs are prohibited. If drugs are found, you will be handed over to the police," a statement on the festival's website said.

Strike Force Highworth has been formed to investigate the deaths of the two young people and an investigation is underway.

In 2015 Nigel Pauljevic, 26, was found unconscious in a tent at the festival and later died.

Nepean Police Area Command is appealing for anyone with information about the two deaths this weekend to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

More to come.

Do you know more? Contact: megan.palin@news.com.au | @Megan_Palin</s>Two people died and hundreds more needed medical treatment after ‘overdosing’ at a music festival.

A man, 23, and a woman, 21, collapsed and died at the Defqon.1 festival in Sydney on Saturday.

Hundreds needed medical treatment after suspected drug overdoses, including 13 taken to hospital.

Politicians vowed to ban the festival, pointing to similar tragedies in previous years.

‘This is an unsafe event and I’ll be doing everything I can to make sure it never happens again,’ she added,’ the premier of the Australian state of New South Wales, Gladys Berejiklian, said.

‘I’m absolutely aghast at what has occurred, I don’t want any family to go through the tragedy that some families are waking up to this morning, it’s just horrible to think about,’

Ten people have been charged with drug supply offences, including two teenagers who allegedly carried 120 capsules to the festival, held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.

In 2013 and 2015, two men in their 20s died while attending the festival, both of suspected drug overdoses.

The festival, an annual event held in Australia since 2009, has been organised by Q-Dance Australia, part of the Dutch event organiser Q-Dance.

On Sunday, the organisers said they were ‘deeply saddened’ by the deaths.

‘We are disappointed at the number of reported drug-related incidents. We have a zero-tolerance policy in relation to drug use at the festival,’ Defqon.1 said in a statement published by the Sydney Morning Herald.

MORE: Small town sees nine cats killed with antifreeze in just two weeks

MORE: UK’s youngest Lottery winner ‘thought she would die’ in attack after night out</s>MELBOURNE: Two people died, a dozen more were hospitalised and hundreds others sought medical assistance after suspected drug overdoses at a music festival in Sydney, the police said.

A 23-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman died on Saturday after collapsing at the Defqon.1 festival, the police said. Two of the 13 hospitalised people remain in critical condition, while about 700 sought assistance on site.

The police has charged 10 people with drug supply offences, including two teenagers who allegedly carried 120 capsules to the festival, held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.

In 2015, a 26-year-old man died while attending the festival and in 2013 a 23-year-old man died, both of suspected drug overdose.

The organisers of the dance, trance and techno annual music festival, held in Australia since 2009, say on their website that the festival has a zero-tolerance policy on illegal drugs.

"We want to make you aware that the use of illicit substances carries a range of health risks including the possibility of death, and is strictly forbidden at this event," Defqon.1 says it in its statement.

The organisers, Q-Dance Australia, part of the Dutch event organiser Q-Dance, were not immediately available to comment.</s>Two people died, a dozen more were hospitalised and hundreds others sought medical assistance after suspected drug overdoses at a music festival in Sydney, the police said.

A 23-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman died on Saturday after collapsing at the Defqon.1 festival, the police said. Two of the 13 hospitalised people remain in critical condition, while about 700 sought assistance on site.

The police has charged 10 people with drug supply offences, including two teenagers who allegedly carried 120 capsules to the festival, held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.

In 2015, a 26-year-old man died while attending the festival and in 2013 a 23-year-old man died, both of suspected drug overdose.

The organisers of the dance, trance and techno annual music festival, held in Australia since 2009, say on their website that the festival has a zero-tolerance policy on illegal drugs.

“We want to make you aware that the use of illicit substances carries a range of health risks including the possibility of death, and is strictly forbidden at this event,” Defqon.1 says it in its statement.

The organisers, Q-Dance Australia, part of the Dutch event organiser Q-Dance, were not immediately available to comment.

For all the latest World News, download Indian Express App</s>New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has vowed to stop Sydney music festival Defqon 1 after two young people died and another three were left fighting for their lives after multiple suspected overdoses.

Her statement comes amidst scrutiny of productivity of law enforcement and security at the event, which was held in Penrith, in Sydney's west.

Gladys Berejiklian described the deaths as tragic, and confessed she never wanted the international event to return to Australian shores.

'I never want to see this event held in Sydney or New South Wales ever again — we will do everything we can to shut this down,' ABC reported.

The Sydney International Regatta Centre, which has been the site for the Australian dance party since 2010, announced on Sunday it would no longer host Defqon. 1.

A witness who attended the event spoke with news.com.au on the condition of anonymity and confirmed several people attended a medical tent erected at the event in a 'semi conscious state.'

'They just looked like people who were a little bit too drunk but then things went down hill very quickly,' the source said.

The Department of Health is in the process of analysing victims toxicology reports to determine whether the two people who died consumed the same drug.

'I understand there were some deaths in the past, but to have at least two on one night when every assurance was given to those attending that it was a safe event — clearly it wasn't when so many people have succumbed.'

She also clarified the government's hard line stance against pill-testing would remain in place, despite a great push from party-goers to provide them for the safety of people who will take drugs regardless of police presence and tougher punishments.

'Anyone who advocates pill-testing is giving the green light to drugs. There is no such thing as a safe drug and unfortunately when young people think there is, it has tragic consequences,' she said.

'I'm absolutely aghast at what's occurred and I don't want any family to have to go through the tragedy that some families are waking up to this morning — it's just horrible to think about.'

Defqon. 1 is not the first festival to come under fire after attendees have fallen ill - or died - while partying.

The now defunct Australian EDM festival Stereosonic clung to life after a series of drug-related deaths at the festival.

In 2015, 25-year-old Sylvia Choi and 19-year-old Stefan Woodward both died after ingesting drugs at the festival.

It never returned for a follow up tour in 2017.

The same year, 26-year-old Nigel Pauljevic died at the annual Defqon. 1 festival, also after consuming illegal substances.

In addition, James Munro died of an overdose after allegedly swallowing 'three pills' at the popular hard-style dance event, and Nathanial Gumyer died after allegedly ingesting one tablet at Falls Festival.

The amount of drug-related deaths at festivals has constantly been the subject of scrutiny, with many calling on pill-testing as a way to help save lives.

Ms Berejiklian's hardline stance against the harm-minimisation technique, which has been noted as successful in other parts of the world, has been ridiculed online.

'Not that I care for Defqon, but Gladys is an idiot, pill testing saves lives, deaths could happen at any festival, vowing to see the end of Defqon just means that more unsafe alternatives will pop up,' one user wrote on Twitter.

'It is not the event. Close it, create event vacuum, new event starts. De-criminalise the drugs or pill test them if not. Save lives don't score points,' another wrote.

Emergency services were called to Defqon music festival in Penrith, in Sydney's west, at 9pm on Saturday after a man, 23, and woman, 21, collapsed.

The pair were both taken to Nepean Hospital where they died a short time later.

Three other festivalgoers, including a 19-year-old man and 26-year-old woman, are fighting for their life after being airlifted to hospital in a critical condition.

A third person presented to Liverpool hospital, and is now in a critical condition.

Over 700 people at the event sought assistance from medical professionals, while police recorded dozens of drug-related arrests and seizures.

Police allege an additional 13 people attended Nepean Hospital for drug-related issues during and after the festival.

Officers conducted 355 drug searches throughout the day. Of this, a staggering 69 people were allegedly found to be in possession of drugs.

Ten of those people were charged with drug supply offences. Another two teenager girls, aged 17, were charged with supplying after they were allegedly caught carrying 120 capsules internally.

Defqon Australia organisers released a statement in relation to the deaths.

'The organisers of Defqon.1 Australia are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of two of their patrons at Nepean Hospital after attending the festival last night and would like to convey their sincerest condolences to their families and friends.'

'Thoughts and prayers are also with the young man and woman who are still in a critical condition. We are disappointed at the number of reported drug related incidents, we have a zero-tolerance policy in relation to drug use at the festival.'

'Festival organisers are working closely and cooperating with the authorities regarding the fatalities and the number of medical presentations made during the evening, a full investigation is currently underway. As this is a matter with the NSW Police and the coroner and out of respect for the families and friends we are not going to speculate on the cause of death and we will not be making any further statements or comments,' the statement read.</s>MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Two people died, a dozen more were hospitalized and hundreds others sought medical assistance after suspected drug overdoses at a music festival in Sydney, the police said.

A 23-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman died on Saturday after collapsing at the Defqon.1 festival, the police said. Two of the 13 hospitalized people remain in critical condition, while about 700 sought assistance on site.

The police has charged 10 people with drug supply offences, including two teenagers who allegedly carried 120 capsules to the festival, held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.

In 2015, a 26-year-old man died while attending the festival and in 2013 a 23-year-old man died, both of suspected drug overdose.

The organizers of the dance, trance and techno annual music festival, held in Australia since 2009, say on their website that the festival has a zero-tolerance policy on illegal drugs.

“We want to make you aware that the use of illicit substances carries a range of health risks including the possibility of death, and is strictly forbidden at this event,” Defqon.1 says it in its statement.

The organizers, Q-Dance Australia, part of the Dutch event organizer Q-Dance, were not immediately available to comment.
Two people die and 700 others seek medical attention, including three people in critical condition at the Defqon.1 Festival in Sydney, Australia, for drug-related issues. Premier of New South Wales Gladys Berejiklian says that the event is dangerous and will never take place again, effectively banning the music festival.