At least eight deaths have been confirmed after a crowd at Travis Scott’s Astro World Music Festival rushed the stage, leaving hordes of people crushed and unable to breathe. About 50,000 people attended the sold-out event at NRG Park, the stadium complex that includes the Astrodome and the NRG Stadium when the incident occurred just after 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov.6.
Footage released showed the crowd suddenly surging toward the stage during the “Sicko Mode” rapper’s performance. More than 300 people were treated at a field hospital set up near the festival while 11 people suffered from cardiac arrest and 23 were taken to the hospital according to The Associated Press.
“The crowd for whatever reason began to push and surge towards the front of the stage, which caused the people in the front to be compressed. People began to fall out, become unconscious,” Houston fire chief Sam Peña explained during a press conference after the incident.
The causes of the eight deaths will be determined by a medical examiner.
The organizers of the festival said that they would work with authorities investigating the tragedy. The cause of the surge was not immediately clear and will be part of the investigation as well.
Scott released a statement on the accident that reads:
“I’m absolutely devastated by what took place last night. My prayers go out to the families and all those impacted by what happened at Astroworld Festival.
The Houston [police department] has my total support as they continue to look into the tragic loss of life.
I am committed to working together with the Houston community to heal and support the families in need. Thank you to the Houston police department, fire department and NRG for their immediate response and support. Love You All,” he wrote.
Day two of the festival was canceled as a result of the tragedy that took place on Friday night.
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