LOS ANGELES: The crowd at a Houston music festival suddenly surged toward the stage during a performance by rapper Travis Scott, squeezing fans so tightly together that they could not breathe or move their arms and killing eight people in the chaos.
The pandemonium unfolded Friday evening at Astroworld, a sold-out, two-day event in NRG Park with an estimated 50,000 people in attendance. As a timer clicked down to the start of the performance, the crowd pushed forward.
“As soon as he jumped out on the stage, it was like an energy took over and everything went haywire,” concertgoer Niaara Goods said. “All of a sudden, your ribs are being crushed. You have someone’s arm in your neck. You’re trying to breathe, but you can’t.”
Goods said she was so desperate to get out that she bit a man on the shoulder to get him to move.
The dead ranged in age from 14 to 27, and 13 people were still hospitalized Saturday, Mayor Sylvester Turner said. He called the disaster “a tragedy on many different levels” and said it was too early to draw conclusions about what went wrong.
“It may well be that this tragedy is the result of unpredictable events, of circumstances coming together that couldn’t possibly have been avoided,” said Judge Lina Hidalgo, Harris County’s top elected official. “But until we determine that, I will ask the tough questions.”
Experts who have studied deaths caused by crowd surges say they are often a result of density — too many people packed into a small space. The crowd is often running either away from a perceived threat or toward something they want, such as a performer, before hitting a barrier.
G. Keith Still, a visiting professor of crowd science at the United Kingdom’s University of Suffolk, has testified as an expert witness in court cases involving crowds. He said he usually does not look at eyewitness reports in the early stages of analyzing an incident because emotions can cloud the picture, and witnesses can see only what’s immediately around them.
Based on fire codes, the venue could have held 200,000 people, but city officials limited the attendance to 50,000, Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña said.
“It was the crowd control at the point of the stage that was the issue, especially as the crowd began to surge toward the stage,” Peña said.
The deaths called to mind a 1979 concert by the Who where 11 people died as thousands of fans tried to get into Cincinnati’s Riverfront Coliseum. Other past crowd catastrophes include the deaths of 97 people in an overcrowded Hillsborough Stadium in 1989 in Sheffield, England, and numerous disasters connected with the annual hajj in Saudi Arabia.
People in the Houston crowd reported lots of pushing and shoving during the performances leading up to Scott’s set.
Then when Scott took the stage, the crowd seemed to rush to the front, trying to get closer to the stage, said Nick Johnson, a high school senior from the Houston suburb of Friendswood who was at the concert.
“Everyone was passing out around you, and everyone was trying to help each other. But you just couldn’t move. You couldn’t do anything. You can’t even pick your arms up,” Johnson said. “It just got worse and worse.”
Johnson said fans started to crush each other, and people started screaming. He said it felt like 100 degrees in the crowd.
Scott seemed to be aware that something was going on in the crowd, but he might not have understood the severity of the situation, Johnson said.
On video posted to social media, Scott could be seen stopping the concert at one point and asking for aid for someone in the audience: “Security, somebody help real quick.”
In a tweet posted Saturday, Scott said he was “absolutely devastated by what took place last night.” He pledged to work “together with the Houston community to heal and support the families in need.”
Amy Harris, a freelance photographer for The Associated Press, described an “aggressive” crowd atmosphere throughout the day because of the way fans were behaving — pushing and rushing the stage barricades and prohibited VIP and admission areas.
“It was definitely the most chaotic festival environment that I’ve been in,” Harris said. “I felt uneasy all day.”
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said his department noticed attendees “going down” at 9:30 p.m. and immediately notified concert organizers. The event was called off 40 minutes later after discussions that included the fire department and officials with NRG Park.
Finner defended the amount of time it took for the event to be canceled.
“You cannot just close when you’ve got 50,000 — over 50,000 — individuals, OK?” Finner said. “We have to worry about rioting — riots — when you have a group that’s that young.”
At one point, Gerardo Abad-Garcia was pressed so tightly into the crowd that he could not move his arms off his chest. During the performance that came before Scott’s, he started getting concerned for his safety.
“I just couldn’t breathe. I was being compressed,” he said. A security guard helped him and others climb a fence and get out.
He described the crowd during Scott’s set as a wave that was “going forward and backward.” He said some people tried to help those who were passed out on the ground, while other concertgoers seemed to ignore them and continued watching the show.
Some audience members said barricades erected near the stage and to separate different sections of ticket holders prevented fans from escaping.
Billy Nasser described an area created by a stage barricade as a closet that people were thrown into and the door was shut. Joshua Robinson said the barricades created an area that “was just way too small and compact” for the number of people there.
Part of the investigation will include reviewing how the area around the stage was designed, the fire chief said.
Authorities did not disclose the causes of death, and the dead were not immediately identified.
The police chief said authorities were investigating reports of suspicious activity in the crowd, including a security officer who told police that he felt a prick in his neck during the chaos and lost consciousness while being examined by first responders. He was revived by the opioid antidote Narcan.
Scott, one of music’s biggest young stars, founded the Astroworld Festival in 2018. The 29-year-old Houston native has been nominated for eight Grammy Awards. He has a 3-year-old daughter with Kylie Jenner, who announced in September that she’s pregnant with their second child.
Drake joined Scott on-stage at the concert, which was livestreamed by Apple Music.
AP Newsroom
Sun Nov 07 2021
![Crowd surge kills at least 8 at Houston music festival Crowd surge kills at least 8 at Houston music festival](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-11/61636262090_astroworld.jpg)
Emergency personnel respond to the Astroworld music festival in Houston on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. - KTRK via AP
Individu 'Narsisistik' perlu dihindari agar hidup tenteram
Individu yang mempunyai penyakit gangguan personaliti narsisistik (NPD) atau sifat mengagumi diri sendiri secara berlebihan, perlu dihindari agar tidak menimbulkan stres dan gangguan emosi.
menurut Pensyarah Jabatan Bimbingan dan Kaunseling UPSI, Profesor Dr Mohammad Aziz Shah Mohamed Arip, strategi itu merupakan kaedah interaksi paling efektif apabila berhadapan dengan mereka yang mempunyai penyakit tersebut.
menurut Pensyarah Jabatan Bimbingan dan Kaunseling UPSI, Profesor Dr Mohammad Aziz Shah Mohamed Arip, strategi itu merupakan kaedah interaksi paling efektif apabila berhadapan dengan mereka yang mempunyai penyakit tersebut.
Faisal Halim sudah mula turun padang jalani sesi latihan
Pemain sayap Selangor, Faisal Halim, dikhabarkan sudah sudah mula turun ke padang untuk menjalani latihan sejak Rabu.
wartawan Astro Arena mendapati pemain berusia 26 tahun itu sudah mula turun ke padang tetapi masih belum bersedia untuk menerima sebarang liputan daripada pihak media.
wartawan Astro Arena mendapati pemain berusia 26 tahun itu sudah mula turun ke padang tetapi masih belum bersedia untuk menerima sebarang liputan daripada pihak media.
Stadium Shah Alam saksi jatuh bangun bola sepak Selangor
Lebih 25 tahun menjadi venue rasmi pasukan Selangor, Stadium Shah Alam telah menyimpan pelbagai kenangan dan nostalgia tersendiri kepada pemain serta peminat sukan di negeri ini.
UMNO Kelantan hantar 3 nama calon DUN Nenggiri
Badan perhubungan UMNO Kelantan akan menghantar 3 nama calon yang akan bertanding di Dewan Undangan Negeri, DUN N43 Nenggiri bulan depan
Pengerusinya Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakob berkata, nama berkenaan telah disaring sebelum Presiden UMNO, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi memutuskannya dalam tempoh terdekat
Pengerusinya Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakob berkata, nama berkenaan telah disaring sebelum Presiden UMNO, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi memutuskannya dalam tempoh terdekat
![Sukan Olimpik 2024: Sudah terlambat naikkan darjah kesukaran - Nur Dhabitah Sukan Olimpik 2024: Sudah terlambat naikkan darjah kesukaran - Nur Dhabitah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51720156473_DhabitahSabri.jpg)
Sukan Olimpik 2024: Sudah terlambat naikkan darjah kesukaran - Nur Dhabitah
Beliau perlu sekurang-kurangnya setahun dalam usaha meningkatkan darjah kesukaran baharu bagi acara 3m papan anjal individu wanita.
![Paris 2024: 16,000 katil kadbod untuk perkampungan sukan, media Paris 2024: 16,000 katil kadbod untuk perkampungan sukan, media](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41720156151_Paris.jpg)
Paris 2024: 16,000 katil kadbod untuk perkampungan sukan, media
Sebanyak 16,000 katil kadbod akan digunakan di Perkampungan Sukan Saint-Denis and Chateauroux dan di Perkampungan Media Dugny.
![Presiden Kesatuan Ulama Sedunia Sheikh Ali Al-Qaradaghi adakan lawatan rasmi ke Malaysia Presiden Kesatuan Ulama Sedunia Sheikh Ali Al-Qaradaghi adakan lawatan rasmi ke Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51720155909_TBnaim.jpg)
Presiden Kesatuan Ulama Sedunia Sheikh Ali Al-Qaradaghi adakan lawatan rasmi ke Malaysia
Presiden Kesatuan Ulama Sedunia Prof Ali Muhyiddin Ali Al-Qaradaghi mengadakan lawatan rasmi ke Malaysia bermula hari ini hingga 12 Julai atas undangan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Buruh bakal bentuk kerajaan, Starmer PM baharu?
Pengundian telah berakhir dan Parti Buruh Britain diunjurkan memenangi pilihan raya umum United Kingdom (UK) dengan kemenangan besar, sekaligus menukar senario politik di UK.
Penyokong anggap kemenangan buruh berita sangat hebat
Sementara itu, kumpulan penyokong Parti Buruh Britain gembira dengan laporan yang menyebut parti konservartif kalah teruk dalam pilihan raya yang diadakan
mereka meraikan lebih awal kejayaan buruh menewaskan konservatif dalam politik United Kingdom, U-K
mereka meraikan lebih awal kejayaan buruh menewaskan konservatif dalam politik United Kingdom, U-K
![Parti Buruh raih majoriti mudah Pilihan Raya Britain 2024 Parti Buruh raih majoriti mudah Pilihan Raya Britain 2024](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720154151_tbKeirStarmerlead.jpg)
Parti Buruh raih majoriti mudah Pilihan Raya Britain 2024
Menepati ramalan, parti pembangkang, Parti Buruh Berjaya meraih majoriti mudah dalam Pilihan Raya Britain pada Jumaat.
![1 maut, 4 cedera dalam insiden tembakan di Houston 1 maut, 4 cedera dalam insiden tembakan di Houston](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2015-07/61436426113_GUNSHOT.jpg)
1 maut, 4 cedera dalam insiden tembakan di Houston
Lelaki itu dikenal pasti sebagai Isaiah Parker, 20-an, dan disahkan meninggal dunia di tempat kejadian dengan beberapa kesan tembakan
![Tembakan: Enam cedera akibat pergaduhan di kelab Tembakan: Enam cedera akibat pergaduhan di kelab](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-06/71686525029_TBhouston.jpg)
Tembakan: Enam cedera akibat pergaduhan di kelab
Mangsa ditembak susulan pergaduhan yang berlaku di dalam kelab tersebut yang mencetuskan insiden di luar premis.
![China arahkan konsulat Amerika Syarikat di Chengdu ditutup China arahkan konsulat Amerika Syarikat di Chengdu ditutup](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-07/61595570556_ChengduChinesefore.jpg)
China arahkan konsulat Amerika Syarikat di Chengdu ditutup
Langkah itu dilihat meningkatkan lagi ketegangan antara kedua-dua ekonomi terbesar dunia itu ekoran beberapa tindakan agresif oleh Amerika Syarikat.
![UFC: Jon Jones tewaskan Reyes, kekalkan kejuaraan light heavyweight UFC: Jon Jones tewaskan Reyes, kekalkan kejuaraan light heavyweight](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-02/71581233604_UFC.jpg)
UFC: Jon Jones tewaskan Reyes, kekalkan kejuaraan light heavyweight
Jon Jones mengekalkan kejuaraan dunia yang disandangnya selepas menumpaskan rakan senegara, Dominick Reyes pada Ahad.
![UFC: 'Bullet' Valentina kekalkan kejuaraan flyweight selepas menang TKO UFC: 'Bullet' Valentina kekalkan kejuaraan flyweight selepas menang TKO](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-02/61581227870_ValentinaShevchenko.jpg)
UFC: 'Bullet' Valentina kekalkan kejuaraan flyweight selepas menang TKO
Valentina Shevchenko berjaya mempertahankan gelaran dunianya selepas menewaskan Katlyn Chookagian dalam acara UFC 247 di Houston, Texas, pada Ahad.
![Tumpahan merkuri, 60 orang terpaksa 'dimandikan' Tumpahan merkuri, 60 orang terpaksa 'dimandikan'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-12/41576534297_MercurySpill.jpg)
Tumpahan merkuri, 60 orang terpaksa 'dimandikan'
Biro Siasatan Persekutuan (FBI) menahan seorang suspek berusia 19 tahun yang dikenali sebagai Christopher Lee Melder bagi membantu siasatan.
![Tiga maut dalam nahas pesawat terhempas Tiga maut dalam nahas pesawat terhempas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-02/71551092409_CargoPlane.jpg)
Tiga maut dalam nahas pesawat terhempas
Pesawat Boeing 767 kendalian Atlas Air itu dilapor terjunam ke kawasan paya sejurus berlepas.
![Pembunuhan doktor Bush bermotif balas dendam - Polis Pembunuhan doktor Bush bermotif balas dendam - Polis](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-08/51533177249_TBDoctor.jpg)
Pembunuhan doktor Bush bermotif balas dendam - Polis
Menurut Ketua Polis Houston, Art Acevedo, suspek berusia 65 tahun itu, Joseph James Papas, diklasifikasikan sebagai bersenjata dan berbahaya.
![Bayi kembar siam Houston bercantum di perut berjaya dipisahkan Bayi kembar siam Houston bercantum di perut berjaya dipisahkan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-02/71518578008_KembarSiam.jpg)
Bayi kembar siam Houston bercantum di perut berjaya dipisahkan
Sepasukan doktor perubatan di Houston, Amerika Syarikat berjaya menjalankan pembedahan memisahkan bayi kembar siam yang bercantum di bahagian dada dan perut.
![Taufan Harvey: Banjir di Houston makin buruk, 7 dilapor terkorban Taufan Harvey: Banjir di Houston makin buruk, 7 dilapor terkorban](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2017-08/71503969777_950x600.jpg)
Taufan Harvey: Banjir di Houston makin buruk, 7 dilapor terkorban
Sehingga kini, 30,000 penduduk hilang tempat tinggal selepas rumah mereka dibadai Taufan Harvey.