Rick Springfield cancels Dominican Republic fan festival citing concerns over flurry of tourist deaths and illnesses
Rocker Rick Springfield cancelled his Dominican Republic music festival that had been scheduled for November in the wake of rising safety concerns.
At least 10 American tourists have died and dozens more have gotten severely sick with a mysterious illness while visiting the island nation since last summer.
‘In an abundance of caution and for the peace of mind and well-being of my fans, band and crew, the Rick Springfield & Friends event in Punta Cana is being rescheduled to take place at Hard Rock Hotel Cancun in 2020,’ Springfield, 69, shared on his Instagram and Twitter on Monday.
Mystery: : Rick Springfield cancelled his upcoming fan music festival in the Dominican Republic, citing safety concerns in the wake of a flurry of mysterious deaths and illnesses
The Jessie’s Girl singer said he and his team have been closely monitoring the situation in the Dominican Republic.
‘While this decision has not been easy, the safety and well-being of our amazing fans, band and crew will always be the most important consideration in any situation,’ he explained.
‘Sending our love and best wishes to all of our friends in the Dominican Republic. Thank you for your patience while we work out the new details.’
‘Look forward to seeing you soon in Mexico! ❤️Rick.’
New dates for the five-day Rick Springfield and Friends fan getaway are still being worked out.
An announcement is expected within the next two weeks, although those who had already bought tickets can receive a full refund if they choose.
Precautionary: The singer. 69, made the announcement via Instagram and Twitter
The FBI has been investigating some of the deaths; in particular, the four people who passed away at various Bahia Principe properties and another two that died at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
The bodies of Edward Nathaniel Holmes, 63, and Cynthia Ann Day, 49, of Maryland, were found unresponsive in their hotel room at the Grand Bahia Principe La Romana Resort May 30, as reported by People.
Just days earlier, a 41-year old woman collapsed shortly after mixing a drink from the minibar in the Luxury Bahia Principe Bouganville.
Fan friendly: The Rick Springfield & Friends is a five-day event
And in another case in 2018, a Pennsylvania women, 51, collapsed at the Bahia Principe resort in Punta Cana.
In some of the cases, victims reported smelling a strange and intense chemical odor in their hotel rooms before getting sick.
At this point, it’s still not clear whether the deaths or sicknesses are connected.
Dominican officials have called the the deaths isolated and have stressed that the country is safe, according to a report by CNN.
Moving on: Springfield has moved his five-day fan getaway to Mexico; the new dates are expected to be announced within two weeks