Approximately 20 people were transported to hospitals after City of Miami Fire Rescue officials say the Miami Cooler Wet Fete event got out of hand.
According to authorities, promoters rented out the Bayside Hut restaurant for the party. The City of Miami said Monday the event promotors had notobtained the required permits to host the event at that location.
"Too many people drank too much alcohol man. It's alcohol poisoning," said party-goer Curtis Rodriguez.
City of Miami Fire Rescue classifies this as a mass casualty incident. Several minors were also taken to the hospital, some under 16 years old.
"When units arrived they found a massive crowd of people here that not only was at the Bayside Hut, but it also trickled over into the parking lot of the Marine Stadium," said Lt. Ignatius Carroll.
Several thousands attended the Miami Cooler Wet Fete event featuring water slides and foam pits. Invitations and flyers encouraged everyone to bring their own liquor.
"They said they had been drinking, Some of them said that they had taken something but they couldn't identify what they took. So it made it very difficult," said Carroll.
This isn't the first time a Wet Fete party has been held at this location. Last year, first responders say they arrived to a similar scene.
"If you're going to have an event of that magnitude you need to make sure you have the proper resources," said Carroll.
The City of Miami Fire Rescue continues to investigate this incident.
"We will not tolerate that any type of unpermitted event that puts our community at risk or affects the quality of life of the City of Miami's residents," Mayor Tomas Regalado said in a news release.
Bayside Hut management had no comment on this incident.
