Vivid Sydney has officially cancelled its popular Star-Bound drone show after 89 drones suddenly plunged into the ocean, leaving stunned spectators watching from Darling Harbour. The decision came following a thorough technical and safety assessment, with organisers announcing the cancellation on Saturday.
Technical Difficulties Lead to Cancellation
The incident occurred during the 7:30pm session last Monday, when ‘unforeseen technical difficulties’ caused the drones to lose control and fall into the water. The 9:30pm show that evening was also cancelled. Subsequent shows on Tuesday and Wednesday were suspended while a full review was conducted.
Organisers Prioritise Public Safety
In a statement, Vivid Sydney said: ‘We understand this will be disappointing for audiences and appreciate the public’s understanding. Fireworks displays will now complement the Laser Lightfall experience in Darling Harbour at the times previously scheduled for drone shows, adding another layer of spectacle to Vivid Sydney’s celebrations.’
A spokesperson added: ‘Public safety is always the number one priority and a full assessment is now underway with the specialist operators and relevant government agencies advising on next steps.’
Witness Accounts and Operator Response
An eyewitness, a worker at Darling Harbour, described the event to ABC Local Radio as a ‘cascading failure of the drones’. He noted that after the first image was displayed, drones on the southern side of Cockle Bay began dropping into the water.
The drone show operator, Sky Magic, confirmed that 89 drones landed in Cockle Bay. The company attributed the incident to an unforeseen change in the radio frequency environment. Sky Magic stated: ‘No vehicle escaped the safety boundary of the show parameters and the reaction of the pilots and crew were timely and appropriate in accordance with our operations manual and processes. Some vehicles during the emergency landing phase encountered the geofence boundary and shut down to preserve the safety zone, resulting in them falling into the water.’
