A tragic incident unfolded at the Dreamstate music festival in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday night, resulting in the death of a man and the hospitalization of six other attendees, authorities confirmed on Sunday. The event, held at Sydney Olympic Park as part of the international trance and techno festival series, saw several people suffer sudden “medical episodes” at around 11:30 p.m. on February 7, according to New South Wales Police and multiple media outlets reporting on the situation.

The deceased man, believed to be in his 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene and has not yet been formally identified. Six other festival-goers were taken to local hospitals, with at least one person reported to be in critical condition. Authorities have established a crime scene and launched an ongoing investigation into the circumstances of the incidents, and a report is being prepared for the coroner.

Police patrolling the festival grounds were called to respond when multiple attendees fell ill. NSW Police have not publicly released detailed information about the specific causes of the medical emergencies, but local news reports indicate that investigators are considering whether a mass drug overdose may have occurred at the event. Warnings had circulated prior to the festival about dangerous high-dose MDMA and other substances potentially in circulation in the area.

Dreamstate organizers and NSW Health representatives have highlighted that standard safety measures — including on-site medical services, chill-out spaces, health messaging, and free water — were in place during the festival. However, there was no pill-testing facility operating at the Sydney event, unlike some other festivals in the region this season. The Dreamstate series is scheduled to continue with its Melbourne leg on Sunday, with heightened attention on health and safety following the weekend’s events.

As of the latest reports, authorities have not disclosed further details about possible substances involved or any arrests, and investigations into the full causes of the hospitalizations and death are ongoing.