A Bad Bunny concert in Milan was abruptly canceled Saturday evening after a severe hailstorm struck the La Maura Hippodrome, leading to the evacuation of nearly 80,000 fans and causing injuries. The storm, characterized by golf ball-sized hailstones, lightning, and heavy rain, forced the artist, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, to stop his performance by the seventh song.
The evacuation process began around 9:30 p.m. local time and concluded by 10:20 p.m. Event officials reported that some attendees sustained head injuries from the hailstones. Footage shared online depicted fans using umbrellas and coats to shield themselves from the intense weather, with some appearing to be treated for injuries.
Roberto De Luca, head of LiveNation Italy, stated that the concert would not be rescheduled and ticket holders would receive refunds. He described the situation as an emergency he had never encountered in his 45-year career and expressed gratitude to the security personnel and the audience for their cooperation during the event.
The severe weather impacting Milan occurred as other parts of Europe are grappling with extreme weather conditions, including widespread wildfires and heatwaves. Spain is currently battling multiple blazes, with one fire north of Madrid having burned approximately 13,000 hectares and prompted the evacuation of around 700 residents. In France, over 10,000 people have been evacuated due to fast-moving wildfires in the Mediterranean regions.
Spain's meteorological agency has warned of an approaching heatwave, with temperatures potentially reaching 45 degrees Celsius, increasing the risk of further wildfires. The country has already experienced significant wildfires this summer, including one in Almería that resulted in fatalities and destroyed thousands of hectares.