At least 8 dead, several others injured during Astroworld music festival, officials say
At least two investigations are now underway into the deadly stampede which took placed at the opening night of the Astroworld music festival in Houston, Texas.
As yet, eight people have been killed and hundreds injured after a huge crowd surge.
A sold-out headline show by rapper and festival organiser Travis Scott on turned deadly when guests began pushing towards the front of the stage, crushing some and reportedly leaving them unable to breathe.
Officials said a 14-year-old was among the victims, and that a security guard may have been injected with drugs as the chaos unfolded.
The mayor of Houston has vowed to “leave [no] stone unturned” in investigating the disaster, while Mr Scott said in a message to fans that he is “absolutely devastated.”
Livestreamed footage of the event showed the rapper pausing his performance as an ambulance arrived at the venue, NRG Park.
Follow latest updates below:
Travis Scott vows to help families of ‘one who were lost’ in Astroworld Festival crush that killed eight
Travis Scott has spoken out following the death of at least eight people during his performance at Astroworld Festival.
The rapper, 29, vowed to work to help the families of “the ones that was lost” following the “mass casualty incident” that also left hundreds injured after a huge crowd surge at the opening night of the festival in Houston, Texas.
Officials said a 14-year-old was among the victims, and that a security guard may have been injected with drugs as the chaos unfolded.
Eleanor Sly7 November 2021 13:13
Harris County Judge calls for ‘objective, independent’ investigation
Lina Hildago, a Harris County Judge called for an “objective, independent” investigation into the tragedy.
“Perhaps the plans were inadequate. Perhaps the plans were good but they weren’t followed,” Ms Hildago said.
“The families of those who died, everybody affected, deserves answers,” she added.
Eleanor Sly7 November 2021 12:25
At least two investigations now underway
At least two investigations, one of which is criminal, were underway on Sunday into the deadly stampede during rap star Travis Scott’s Astroworld music festival.
Houston officials said that autopsies on the victims were being performed as soon as possible so their bodies could be returned to family members.
The identities of some of the dead are expected to be released on Sunday.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner told reporters on Saturday that two of those killed were aged 14 and 16, two were 21, another two were 23, with a seventh aged 27.
The eighth victim is yet to be identified.
Eleanor Sly7 November 2021 12:04
What happened at Astroworld? Everything we know about ‘mass casualty incident’ at music festival
Tragedy struck Friday night as more than 50,000 people gathered for the third annual Astroworld music festival, founded by rapper Travis Scott at the site of the former Houston Six Flags park.
At least eight festival-goers were killed and scores more injured after a “crowd surge” that forced organisers stop the show. Officials declared a “mass casualty incident” around 9.30pm Friday.
Eight people were killed in the chaos at the Astroworld Festival, and dozens more were injured. The victims who lost their lives range from ages 14 to 27, the mayor told a press conference on Saturday.
Sheila Flynn explains more below:
Eleanor Sly7 November 2021 10:26
Eleven people in cardiac arrest
A total of 17 people were taken to hospital following the crowd surge, of which 11 were in cardiac arrest.
Houston Fire Chief Samuel Pena explained that the cause of death of the eight people who were confirmed dead is currently not known.
Meanwhile, a command post has been set up by police at a local hotel for information on missing persons.
Eleanor Sly7 November 2021 09:57
Travis Scott takes to Instagram explaining his devastation
Travis Scott has said that he is working to help the families of “the ones that was lost.”
In a video on his Instagram story Mr Scott can be seen pacing around while tapping a fist to his forehead repeatedly and tugging his hair, saying that he was “honestly just devastated” by the incident.
“I just wanna send out prayers to the ones that was lost last night,” Mr Scott said.
“We’re actually working now to identify the families so we can help assist them through this tough time.
The 29-year-old explained that his fans “really mean the world to me”, adding he “always just wanna leave them with a positive experience”.
“Any time I can make out anything (negative) that’s going on, I just stop the show and help them get the help they need, you know,” MrScott said.
“I could never just imagine the severity of this situation,” he added.
He went on to add that festival organisers were working with Houston’s police, fire department and city authority “to get to the bottom” of the events that unfolded at NRG Park.
“If you have any information, please just contact your local authorities,” he said, whilst he tugged at a braid.
He concluded the video by saying: “I mean, I’m honestly just devastated. I could never imagine anything like this happening.
“I’m (going to) do everything I can to keep you guys updated, just keep you guys informed on what’s going on.
“Love you all.”
Eleanor Sly7 November 2021 09:09
‘I’m devastated’: Travis Scott addresses fatal crowd surge at Astroworld gig
‘I’m devastated’: Travis Scott addresses fatal crowd surge at Astroworld gig
Eleanor Sly7 November 2021 08:20
‘Perhaps the plans were inadequate’
ICYMI: Fire Chief Peña explained that the exits were not blocked and that no audience members had trouble escaping. Instead, the deaths occurred within the crowd.
In her remarks, Judge Hidalgo acknowledged a previous incident in which Live Nation, the organiser of the concert, had suffered a crowd stampede.
“It may well be that this tragedy is a result of unpredictable events of circumstances coming together that couldn’t possibly have been avoided. But until we determine that, I will ask the tough questions, and that’s what I’ve spent the morning doing,” she said.
“What I know so far is that Live Nation and Astroworld put together plans for this event: a security plan, a site plan; that they were at the table with City of Houston and Harris County…
“Perhaps the plans were inadequate. Perhaps the plans were good but they weren’t followed. Perhaps it was something else entirely.
“The families of those who died, and everybody affected, deserve answers as to what took place last night, and that’s why I’m calling for an objective, independent investigation as to what went on and how it could have been prevented.”
She said that some details of the victims’ deaths could not be released because investigators have not yet been able to identify and inform two of the victims’ families.
Graeme Massie7 November 2021 03:57
‘Several’ doses of opioid antidote were administered
ICYMI: Fire chief Samuel Peña has said “several – many” Narcan doses were administered last night, suggesting multiple people may have been drugged.
Chief Finner declined to answer a question about whether anyone else apart from the security officer had reported being pricked by a possible needle.
“We’re not taking anything off the table,” said Mayor Turner, interjecting as reporters shouted questions. “Everything will be considered, everything will be taken into account.”
Graeme Massie7 November 2021 03:02
Event did not stop ‘for 40 minutes’ after crush began
ICYMI: Houston mayor Sylvester Turner said that it took 40 minutes to stop the event after the crowd surge first began.
The first report of trouble, he said, was around 9:30pm local time, and the concert did not stop until 10:10pm.
If true, that raises questions about how well Live Nation and its private security and medical contractors responded to the incident.
By contrast, fire chief Chief Samuel Peña said that after a “mass casualty event” was declared, it took two minutes for the first of his units to be on the scene.
Graeme Massie7 November 2021 02:02
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