At least eight people were killed and many injured in a wave of crowds Friday night at the Astroworld Festival in Houston, Texas, during a concert by rapper Travis Scott.
Houston Fire Chief, Samuel Pena, revealed that the accident began around 9 p.m., when “the crowd began moving toward the front of the stage,” causing panic and injuries to some people, who “began to fall, fainting, after creating more panic.”
“We have at least eight confirmed deaths tonight and dozens of injured,” Bina said, adding that the cause of death could only be confirmed after medical examinations were completed. “We have taken 17 patients to hospital, 11 of them are in cardiac arrest.” About 50,000 people were in the crowd at the Astroworld Festival.
Rapper Travis Scott was acting when the accident occurred, having stopped acting on several occasions when he saw fans in danger near the stage, local newspaper the Houston Chronicle reported.
“Over the course of just a few minutes, we’ve had several people on the ground with cardiac arrests,” Chief Constable Larry J. Satterwhite said, adding that they had now met with the party’s organizers and that the event was over.
Footage from the NRG park circulated in the media showed dozens of people forcing the gates, with security unable to contain the influx. The images show several people falling, knocking on the fugitive metal detectors, but it is not possible to know if the victims were related to this part of the accident.
Astroworld is a music festival created by Scott and launched in 2018. The 29-year-old rapper with a son from Kylie Jenner debuted in 2013 and was nominated for six Grammy Awards. Other concerts scheduled at the festival over the weekend included rappers Chief Keef and 21 Savage, as well as Australian group Tame Impala.
During Scott’s performance late Friday, rapper Drake joined him on stage.
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