Fyre Festival turns from ‘luxury’ to ‘disaster’ with ticket-holders stranded in Bahamas

A luxury music festival in the Bahamas, with tickets costing up to $12,000 (£9,200), has been branded a “disaster”, with reports of no security and cancelled flights.

Fyre Festival, co-organised by Ja Rule, promised a “cultural moment created from a blend of music, art and food”.

Tickets included a flight from Miami, a stay in a “geodesic dome” and activities including yoga and kayaking.

But festival-goers, have described the event as a “complete disaster”.

“Things got off to an unexpected start at day one of Fyre Festival,”

Blink-182, who were set to be headlining, have already pulled out of the festival.

Major Lazer, Skepta and Disclosure were all set to perform as well.

For those already on the the Exuma islands, where the festival is being held, organisers said assistance would be available.

“We are working to comfortably accommodate guests and deliver a great experience,” they said.

Image captionFyre Festival’s website even promised a choice of yachts

“If you have needs, please head to the Blue House on the main festival site. Security, first aid and Fyre Festival staff are here to assist immediately, 24/7.”

Some people are trying to leave the festival but getting a flight is proving to be a problem for some.

Early on Friday, William was updating his social media from a plane bound for the US.

Ticket holders were still making their way on flights to the island, but these have now all been halted.

“Due to circumstances beyond our control, and in line with a culture of safety, all inbound charter flights to the Exumas have been cancelled,” festival organisers said.

“Your ticket and any funds uploaded to your RFID [contactless payment] band will be refunded.

Thank you for bearing with us as we work through the growing pains that every first year event experiences

Fyre Festival organisers
“Thank you for bearing with us as we work through the growing pains that every first-year event experiences.

“Revised itinerary information will be shared soon for the remainder of this weekend and weekend two.”

Ja Rule has yet to comment on what is happening at the festival.

Earlier this week he shared photographs on social media of preparations.

The event had been endorsed by a number of high-profile models and influencers such as Bella Hadid, Emily Ratajkowski and Hailey Baldwin.

There is no statement as yet from the people who have helped promote it.

Newsbeat has contacted Fyre Festival but has yet to receive a response.

Meanwhile, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism has apologised to festival-goers on behalf of the nation.

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