THE death of a fan during Taylor Swift’s November concert in Rio de Janeiro was caused by heat exhaustion, according to an autopsy report published yesterday by Brazilian media.  

Ana Benevides, 23, died during Swift’s first “Eras Tour” show in Brazil on November 17 after the head index had risen to 59°C in the Brazilian beach city that day.  

Benevides, who was one of 60,000 fans attending the concert, died from “thermal exhaustion due to diffuse exposure to heat”, the autopsy report read.  

It also determined that the young woman suffered from “cardiovascular shock” and bleeding of the lungs, which resulted in “sudden death”.  

The report by Rio de Janeiro state’s Civil Police was published by local media. Reached by AFP, the agency declined to comment or confirm the report.  

Swift said she was “devastated” by the death and postponed her second show scheduled for the following night.   

Organisers of the show have faced criticism after fans said they were forbidden to enter the Nilton Santos stadium with water bottles despite the overwhelming heat.  

The company organising the show, Time For Fun, said the young woman was quickly treated by first responders after feeling unwell, and then transferred to the hospital an hour later.  

Time for Fun later apologised, saying they should have prepared better.  

In November, much of central and southeastern Brazil was suffering an unusually oppressive springtime heatwave. – AFP, December 28, 2023.