A spectacle of lights turned chaotic as close to 90 drones unexpectedly plummeted from the sky during a well-known tourist destination event. Video footage captured the dramatic scene of numerous drones descending from the night sky over Sydney’s Darling Harbour, leaving onlookers astonished. The mishap, attributed to a radio frequency alteration causing a glitch, was managed by Skymagic, a British company overseeing the event, ensuring that none of the drones strayed beyond safety boundaries.
The organizers of the annual Vivid Sydney festival attributed the malfunction on Monday to unforeseen technical challenges. Consequently, they have called off several upcoming shows scheduled for the three-week festival duration. A spokesperson from Skymagic later stated that during the performance on the evening of May 25, a technical issue caused 89 drones to land in the waters around Cockle Bay.
Reportedly, 83 drones landed in the harbor, with six touching down on the boardwalk. Karen Jones, the chief executive of Destination New South Wales, issued an apology to the disappointed spectators. She expressed regret for any inconvenience caused and indicated uncertainty regarding the future drone show scheduled for Sunday night, pending further assessments.
An employee at Darling Harbour, identified only as Robert, recounted the significant noise as the drones crashed onto the wharf, audible even from a distance. Festival organizers emphasized that Skymagic and government agencies would conduct a thorough evaluation before authorizing any remaining shows. A Vivid Sydney representative also extended apologies for the disappointment and inconvenience faced by attendees.
The Star-Bound drone display, featuring 1,000 drones and intended to last over 12 minutes, encountered the unexpected setback. Vivid Sydney had introduced drone shows in 2024, which had garnered considerable attention. Last year, concerns over overcrowding led organizers to forego hosting any drone exhibitions.