Revellers hoping to join the annual Carnival Matinée party in Gozo were denied access with the promoters saying they wanted to avoid breaching health and safety regulations.
A spokesman for the promoters behind the event, held on Saturday afternoon at La Grotta, in Xlendi, said they did not anticipate a crowd of about 1,400 people would turn up.
When chaos ensued, they decided to close all doors and not let anyone in, he said.
“The doors needed to be closed to reorganise the queues and filter the online buyers from the non-ticket holders. At that point in time, health and safety became our priority. This process, unfortunately, took far more time than planned,” one of the organisers said.
As a result, those outside were forced to wait for about two hours. Many complained they had purchased tickets a month ahead and, yet, were still not allowed in. Revellers who were already inside and, for some reason, had to leave the venue temporarily, were also not allowed in when the chaos ensued.
Tickets to the event could either be purchased in advance for €10 or at the door for €15.
The doors needed to be closed to reorganise the queues and filter the online buyers from the non-ticket holders
“I was frustrated because I had bought the ticket a month ago and had already used my ticket to get inside when all the commotion started. Once they closed the doors, they would not let us back in and we had to wait for a couple of hours by the door,” a disappointed partygoer told this newspaper. She said many simply gave up after an hour and headed to Nadur.
Bouncers and other security personnel tried to direct the crowd to different entrances, she said, yet this was all in vain because all the doors were shut.
“It wasn’t the bouncers’ fault, really. They were just following orders. I believe it all came down to lack of communication between the organisers,” one reveller said.
Refunds will be given in the coming weeks to those who did not manage to get into the club, the organiser said. Those who did manage to go in but had to spend time waiting outside can complain directly to the organisers via the social media.
The organisers said they would also be offering ticket holders who did not make it to the party a free ticket to their next event.
The party at the La Grotta, situated on a downhill stretch of road between Victoria and Xlendi, was one of many held over the weekend to mark carnival.
For years, the carnival weekend had drawn large crowds to Gozo, with groups of young people crossing the channel to attend parties and events there. Celebrations culminated at the Nadur square on Saturday evening.