Brisbane 2032 drone show cancelled over safety concerns after Yarra River fail

Brisbane’s first major Olympics event has come crashing down due to an epic technical blunder that saw hundreds of drones plunge out of the skies.

Footage on social media captures the moment drones involved in a Melbourne light show malfunctioned and plunged into the Yarra River. Picture: Supplied

An epic technical blunder that sent hundreds of drones falling out of the sky has seen Brisbane’s first major 2032 Olympics event cancelled over safety concerns.

Up to 500 drones were set to illuminate the iconic symbols of the Olympic and Paralympic Games over Brisbane’s Story Bridge this Saturday night as part of the “9 Years to Go” celebration.

However, the event has been axed after up to 350 drones plunged into the Yarra River in Melbourne during a light show celebrating the Matildas ahead of the Football World Cup.

That light show was organised by Australian Traffic Group, the same organisation behind Brisbane’s event.

Australian Traffic Group issued a statement saying that while no one was harmed, it would not conduct other drone shows until the cause of the failure was identified.

Drones flight in the Yarra River. Pictures: Supplied

Brisbane 2032 organising committee president Andrew Liveris said while the decision would disappoint people, safety was the priority.

“We’ve made sure that there are still plenty of ways for people right across south east Queensland to enjoy the 9 Years to Go milestone and celebrate the Olympic Rings and Paralympic Agitos making their Queensland debut,” he said.

Hundreds of drones were fished out of the Yarra River after they suffered a technical glitch. Picture: NCA NewsWire

“This is the first time since the Sydney 2000 Games that the Rings and Agitos will be featured prominently back in Australia, and it’s a moment that everyone can enjoy.

“Communities right across Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast will have plenty of opportunities to see large-scale structures of the Rings and Agitos and get their photo with them, as well as participate in a range of Olympic and Paralympic sports.