Arnhem mayor criticizes festival where high heat injured five; Water cost over €14/liter
Six people became ill at the Legends of Rock festival in Park Sonsbeek over the weekend, prompting criticism from Arnhem Mayor Ahmed Marcouch over the absence of free drinking water and the prohibition on visitors bringing their own.
Festivalgoers faced temperatures that made hydration critical but had no access to free water taps. Organizers charged 5.75 euros for a bottle of water and barred attendees from carrying in their own supplies, in line with the event’s policy against outside food and drinks.
Marcouch said the situation was regrettable and that the organizer bore responsibility for failing to ensure adequate drinking water. In a letter to the city council, he noted that agreements in the festival’s safety plan required sufficient drinking water availability and that visitors be encouraged to drink enough.
“The organization should have taken its responsibility,” Marcouch said, “either by offering water taps or by allowing visitors to bring their own water.”
He added that city officials were unaware beforehand of exactly how drinking water would be provided and would not have approved the plans had they known the details.
Organizer John confirmed to RTL Nieuws that no drinking water points were available on the grounds. He cited the park terrain, which lacks proper ground closure, making only non-potable water feasible. Distributing free bottled water was not considered viable, he said.
“We also have to recoup the costs,” John said. He defended the no-outside-drinks policy as standard and well-known to attendees, despite the heat.
