The founder of Artfi, who attended Ape Fest organized by Yuga Labs in Hong Kong, has taken legal action against the company due to eye damage suffered during the event.
Asif Kamal, the founder of Artfi, an art-tech and NFT company, disclosed that he contracted a "widespread eye infection outbreak" while attending the Bored Apes Yacht Club-themed event, which took place in Hong Kong from November 3 to November 5. Following the event, numerous attendees experienced symptoms such as eye pain, skin irritation, and other health issues linked to excessive UV light exposure.
Furthermore, Kamal revealed that he was hospitalized upon returning to Dubai two days after the event and indicated that the infection subsequently extended to his facial skin.
In a press release, Kamal and ArtFi stated:
Kamal also voiced apprehension and disapproval regarding Yuga Labs' apparent lapses in security measures, while also extending sympathy to other individuals affected by the incident. In a petition posted on Change.org, Kamal also suggested that his condition was a consequence of UV radiation exposure but maintained that it led to an infection.
Yuga Labs has acknowledged these reports. In a statement provided to Variety, the company acknowledged being aware of "some attendees" reporting the mentioned conditions (excluding infection). The company expressed distress regarding these reports and stated that it was collaborating with festival vendors and contractors to ascertain the cause of the incident.
In another statement given to Verge, Yuga Labs disclosed that 15 individuals, which is less than 1% of the 2,250 attendees, had reached out to them concerning the matter.
