Eight Dead, Hundreds Hurt At Astroworld Fest
• Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival in Houston turned into a mass-casualty event last Friday night, as the massive crowd, estimated at around 50,000 people, surged toward the stage during Scott’s headlining set — which included a surprise appearance from Drake — the resulting crush of bodies left eight people dead and over 300 injured, according to Houston officials.
According to a report in TheWrap.com, a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old child were among those who died. The others were between 21 and 27 in age. Twenty-five people were hospitalized on Friday, including five under the age of 18. Houston Police Chief Troy Finner confirmed Saturday that a 10-year-old is also in critical condition.
Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña said around 9pm the crowd began surging forward during Scott’s set as there was panic and people running for safety. At that point, Scott paused the show several times to ask security to help out fans, and members of the fire department personnel were sent into the dense crowd to rescue the injured. “It happened all at once,” Executive Assistant Chief Larry Satterwhite said. “It seemed like it happened over the course of just a few minutes.” However, a report in the Washington Post says the show continued for more than 70 minutes, even as the mayhem unfolded close to the stage.
A statement from the festival posted on social media reads in part, “Our hearts are with the Astroworld Festival family tonight — especially those we lost and their loved ones.” The post also thanked emergency workers and stated that authorities are “looking into the series of cardiac arrests that took place.” A source confirmed to Variety that police are investigating a possible drug-spiking incident in a targeted area of the festival, which could account for the 11 cardiac arrest incidents that Peña confirmed during the press conference.
On Saturday, Scott tweeted this statement: “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. Houston PD has my total support as they continue to look into the tragic loss of life.” Scott added, “I am committed to working together with the Houston community to heal and support the families in need. Thank you to the Houston PD, Fire Department and NRG Park for their immediate response and support.”
George “Geo” Cook, Director Operations for Service Broadcasting’s KKDA & KRNB/Dallas and GM of the syndicated DeDe In The Morning was in Houston for Astroworld. His local Dallas-Ft. Worth ABC affiliate WFAA (ABC8) sent a crew to Houston to interview Cook and others about the tragedy. [Photo: The Guardian]
