Last Updated on: 3rd July 2023, 07:02 am
Travis Scott Says He Is ‘Absolutely Devastated’ By Death Of 8 People At Rap Concert
Texas authorities are investigating a tragedy on Saturday that saw crowds rush to the stage at a major Travis Scott rap concert in an accident that killed 8 people and injured at least 17 others.
Around 50,000 people were visiting NRG Park in Houston on Friday night when the crowd started marching on the stage while Scott performed, resulting in chaotic scenes.
“People were being pushed, people trampled, and then when I left I saw people on the floor,” said Logan Morris, a Dallas-born native who attended AFP.
Raúl Marquez, 24, said he saw a lot of alcohol and drugs in the crowd.
“And they got hot and they just danced and everything fell apart and they couldn’t breathe and passed out from left to right,” he said.
“Some people didn’t care and were trampled or ignored. It was intense,” said Marquez.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said the accident left at least eight dead and 17-23 injured.
Turner told CNN that authorities viewed video footage, spoke to witnesses, concert organizers, and people in the hospital.
“So let’s look at everything,” said Turner.
Houston is known for hosting high-profile events, he said, but “we’ve never seen anything like it”.
More than 300 people were treated with minor injuries on the first night of the two-day Astroworld festival, which Scott helped organize, the authorities said.
Scott interrupted his performance several times when he saw the distraught fans near the stage.
Survivors described chaotic scenes of people huddled together, many struggling to breathe.
Gavyn Flores, 18, said he stood on the edge of a crowd near a barricade and couldn’t move for hours. He said he tried to throw people over that wall.
“People tried to get out, but you can’t move. So there was no point getting out because they couldn’t. But when they could, we tried to help them get run over,” said Flores AFP.
Also Read: Eight Dead And Injured At Travis Scott’s ‘Astroworld’ Concert
“I am absolutely devastated by what happened last night,” tweeted Scott on Saturday. “My prayers go to families and everyone who was moved by the events of the Astroworld Festival.”
More than 360 police officers and 240 security guards were present at the festival.
Harris County official Lina Hidalgo said it was “an extremely tragic night.”
“We are heartbroken, people go to these events to have a good time and make memories,” he added.
Also Read: Travis Scott Feels Very Happy After Kylie Jenner’s Pregnancy Rumours
