Dozens of drones splash into Sydney harbor

Nearly 90 drones fell into Sydney’s Darling Harbour on Monday evening after a technical malfunction disrupted a coordinated aerial display, according to several media outlets.

The incident occurred during Vivid Sydney, an annual three-week festival known for large-scale light installations and public art events.

Spectators were watching a synchronized formation of hundreds of illuminated drones when part of the formation suddenly broke away and plunged into the water.

The evening performance was immediately cancelled, and all upcoming drone shows scheduled for the following days suspended pending a full technical review.

SkyMagic, the company responsible for the display, said the failure was caused by an “unforeseen technical difficulties” shortly after takeoff. The disruption reportedly affected positioning accuracy, triggering parts of the fleet to enter automatic emergency landing mode.

Operators said safety systems functioned as intended. Once the malfunction was detected, the show was halted and a return-to-home protocol was activated to ensure the remaining drones could land safely without further incident.

A spokesperson for Vivid Sydney apologized for the disruption and any disappointment caused to attendees, stressing that no injuries were reported.

Authorities and technical specialists are now investigating the cause of the failure, with a comprehensive review of equipment and flight systems underway before any future performances are approved.