Call for 'urgent' meeting with festival organisers after 17-year-old girl dies

Police attended a report of the sudden death of a girl aged in her late teens on Sunday 24 August

Belfast councillor Micky Murray has requested an urgent meeting between council officers and representatives from Emerge festival following the death of a 17-year-old girl at the weekend.

The Alliance Party representative said festivals are meant to be "safe spaces".

Two other people were taken to hospital after becoming ill at the same event at Boucher Playing Fields.

A woman in her 30s remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition, while a teenage boy has received treatment and is expected to make a full recovery.

Police said enquiries are ongoing into the death of the teenage girl in hospital after she became unwell at the Emerge music festival in south Belfast on Sunday.

In a statement, Belfast District Cdr Supt Allister Hagan said: "Over the course of the two day event, local police were supported by specialist officers from a range of units including from air support, tactical support, dog section and roads policing."

He said officers made seven arrests over the weekend and issued thirteen immediate disposals including three fixed penalty notices, one caution and nine community resolution notices.

Emerge, an electronic music festival, took place at Boucher Playing Fields on Saturday and Sunday, with more than 40,000 people in attendance.

In a statement, Murray said his "sincere condolences are with the loved ones of the young individual who has tragically lost their life in these circumstances".

He urged people "not to speculate" while police enquiries are ongoing.

BBC News NI has contacted Belfast City Council and Emerge for comment about the call for a meeting.