On Friday night American time, there was a violent chaos among the 50,000 spectators who had turned up to see rap star Travis Scott perform during his festival Astroworld in Houston.
Police say that the audience suddenly began to push forward against the fences that stood next to the stage.
– It apparently happened in a few minutes. Suddenly, more people were lying on the ground with some form of cardiac arrest or some other medical condition, so we started performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and moving people, Fire Chief Samuel Peña told a news conference.
Hundreds injured
Eight people have so far been confirmed dead. Hundreds of people were injured.
Now more and more testimonies are emerging about the chaotic and very dramatic events that arose among the audience.
On Instagram, a woman named Sienna has shared a longer text about her experience. According to the woman, it was very crowded among the audience for a while before the concert started.
According to the woman, the chaos occurred shortly after Travis Scott went on stage.
– The pressure of people only got stronger and stronger. Breathing became difficult, she writes.
Several gasped for air, but according to the woman it was impossible to get away.
– We started calling for help. It was becoming impossible to breathe, and people began to faint.
– Trampled to death
But the loud music continued.
– People tore their vocal cords to pieces by screaming for help, but they were not heard.
The woman says that they desperately tried to capture the attention of the security guard and the artist who was on stage, to no avail.
– I saw my friend being dragged away from me, and I lost sight of her. At that moment, I realized that there is a way to die, that not many people know about. Namely, to be trampled to death. I saw fear in all their eyes, and we knew there was a good chance that some of us would not survive this.
– We need help here!
In a video from Travis Scott’s appearance on Twitter, you hear the superstar shout at the security guards because someone has fainted.
– We need help here! Some have fainted. Pull away, everyone, he says.
Another Twitter user describes the incident as “hell”.
A video circulating on social media shows the desperate cries for help.
– People die, to hell! These are some of their children, shouts a man.
Comes with a statement
On Saturday morning Norwegian time, the festival posted a statement on Instagram. There they write that their thoughts go to those who have lost their loved ones.
– Our focus is to support local authorities, as best we can. With that said, Saturday’s festival will be canceled, they write.
They also ask anyone with relevant information about the incidents that took place to contact the Houston police.
– Thank you to everyone in the Houston police, fire department and NRG Park for their response and support, it continues.
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