Canadian, American Music Festival-Goers Die at EDC Phuket

EDC
Electric Daisy Carnival - EDC Thailand

PHUKET —  Two international tourists died in separate incidents while attending the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) Thailand 2025 at Boat Avenue Lakefront in Phuket on Saturday night.

The first victim was identified as Mr. Sharfaraz, 28, a Canadian national who was staying alone at Sweet Lemon Hotel. According to officials, he collapsed during the festival around 8:50 PM. Emergency medical staff at the venue rushed him to Thalang Hospital, where he still had a pulse but was unconscious. Despite resuscitation attempts, he was pronounced dead at 9:26 PM.

The second victim, Mr. Minh, 32, a Vietnamese-American, lost consciousness later that night. He was transported to the hospital at 11:35 PM and pronounced dead at 12:30 AM on January 19, after unsuccessful resuscitation efforts.

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International tourists gather at the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) Thailand 2025 at Boat Avenue Lakefront in Phuket on the evening of January 19, 2025.

Police Colonel Weerapong Rakkito, Superintendent of Cherng Talay Police Station, stated that detailed autopsies would be conducted to determine the exact causes of death. Initial investigations found no signs of physical trauma on either victim. Both bodies were sent to Vachira Phuket Hospital for comprehensive forensic examination, including toxicology tests.

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According to police interviews, friends of the Canadian victim reported he had consumed a significant amount of cannabis prior to the incident. However, Col. Weerapong suggested that factors such as long-distance travel fatigue, hot weather conditions, and alcohol consumption might have contributed to the incidents. He emphasized that strict security measures, including 20 walk-through scanners and thorough searches by both male and female officers, were in place to prevent drug possession at the venue.

The EDC Thailand 2025, scheduled from January 17-19, features over 90 international DJs, including headliners Skrillex, Afrack, ILLENIUM, FISHER, and REZZ, along with local talent such as “AMP KILLA” (Amorn Mahima).

The respective embassies have been notified and are working to contact the victims’ families. The investigation is ongoing.

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