Promoter Sentenced To Prison Over Deaths At Steve Aoki Show

The promoter responsible for five deaths at a 2012 Steve Aoki show in Madrid has been sentenced to prison.

Miguel Ángel Flores, head promoter of Thriller Music Park, was convicted of gross negligence, manslaughter and 29 counts of criminal injury, according to Spanish newspaper El Mundo. He received the maximum penalty of a four-year sentence.

Seven other people involved in the show were convicted of the same offenses, but other defendants, including medics and the former Madrid chief of police, were reportedly acquitted of all charges.

Katia Esteban, Cristina Arce, Rocio Oña, Belén Langdom and María Teresa Alonso were killed in a stampede at the Nov. 1, 2012 show at Madrid Arena. Madrid judges ruled the deaths were, in part, caused by the overselling of more than 6,000 tickets to the event. A witness also claimed several emergency exits were closed.

As a result of his convictions, Flores is now prohibited from professionally organizing or hosting any events.

This is not the only dangerous incident to occur at an Aoki show. That same year, a woman broke her neck after the DJ jumped off stage into the crowd. Last month, a roof collapsed at a Norway show.

H/T: DJ Mag