At least eight individuals are dead, and dozens injured after a sold-out crowd of about 50,000 surged throughout rapper Travis Scott’s performance late on Friday at the Astroworld Festival outside NRG Park, frustrating security guards and causing one of the deadliest concerts in U.S. history.
The Recounts of That Night
Hundreds of followers stormed the entry gates around 2 p.m., bypassing safety and also metal detectors. Some were restrained by security and mounted HPD officers, yet no significant injuries were reported. It was similar to the start of the 2019 event.
As Scott’s performance began shortly after 9 p.m., the rowdy crowd swallowed everyone in it, Instagram user SeannaFaith wrote.
The mayhem intensified until 9:38 p.m. when the “mass-casualty incident” was triggered. About 55 Houston Fire Department units responded and began performing CPR on the unconscious.
The rush of people became tighter and tighter. Breathing became something only a few were capable of. The rest were crushed or not able to breathe in the thick hot air, she said.
It was like watching a Jenga tower topple. Individual after another was sucked down…You were at the mercy of the wave. We pled for security to help us, for the performer to see us and know something was wrong, she proceeded. None of that came; we continued to drown.
After that, one person fell, then another.
We had a mass casualty event here at Astroworld, Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña said. Seventeen people were taken to the medical facility, 11 of whom Peña referred to as being in cardiac arrest. Eight are confirmed dead. A few of the victims could be kids.
Our Hearts Are With Those We Have Lost
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo called it a “very terrible night,” as households waited for word on whether their loved ones were safe. The Houston Police Division is in the process of identifying victims at medical facilities, and a reunification facility was set up at the Wyndham Houston Hotel at 8686 Kirby. Individuals searching for loved ones can call (832) 393-2991 or (832) 393-2990.
Our hearts are broken, Hidalgo said. Individuals go to these occasions looking for a good time. It’s not the type of event where you expect to find fatalities.
Festival organizers offered condolences before 6 a.m. Saturday throughout their social media accounts.
Our hearts are with the Astroworld Festival family members tonight– specifically those we lost as well as their loved ones. We are focused on supporting local officials. However, we can. As authorities pointed out in their press conference previously, they are looking into the series of cardiac arrests that occured. If you have any information on this, please contact the Houston Police. We thank our partners at the Houston Police Department, Fire Department, and NRG Park for their response and support.
Get in Touch With Our Music Festival Injury Attorneys Immediately
We are deeply saddened by the events of yesterday’s music festival. If you or a loved one were injured at the Astroworld music festival, call our music festival injury attorneys at (346) 756-9243 or fill out our online consultation form so that we can discuss your case and get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.