HOUSTON – (Updated Dec. 1) A criminal investigation is still ongoing to determine the cause of the deadly crowd surge at Astroworld Festival at NRG Park in Houston. Ten confirmed deaths and “scores of injuries” were reported as a result of a crowd surge during rapper Travis Scott’s Nov. 5 performance. According to reports, the 50,000-strong crowd began compressing toward the stage around 9:15 p.m., causing panic and injuries until it was quickly declared a “mass casualty incident.” In addition to the onsite security, more than 55 Houston Fire Department units stepped in to perform CPR on unconscious concert-goers, with reports that 17 were rushed to area hospitals, with 11 of those in cardiac arrest. There were 300 people treated at an onsite field hospital.
The concert was ended early. The second day of the two-day festival was canceled, which was to feature Bad Bunny, Earth, Wind & Fire and Beaumont native Teezo Touchdown. A reunification center for families has been set up at the Wyndham Houston Hotel near NRG Park. (Update: Families have identified all eight victims.)
Earlier in the day, hundreds of people rushed through the entrance gates, blowing past metal detectors and security. Here’s a video from KHOU ABC 11 in Houston of the crowds rushing in:
The first lawsuit has been filed against festival organizers, including Live Nation and Travis Scott himself, for negligence in security at the festival. The victim is seeking at least $1 million in damages. More lawsuits have since been filed. The festival site at NRG Park has been secured as a crime scene and witnesses are being interviewed as a criminal investigation has begun to determine the cause of the crowd surge.
Related stories:
Lawyer and VP of Event Safety Alliance Steve Adelman points out issues related to the tragic event on PLSN: Adelman on Venues: Last Night at AstroWorld
A timeline of events is created. Astroworld timeline looks at when officials knew something was wrong.
What happens in a crowd surge?
Houston police chief says he met with Travis Scott to express safety concerns before concert.
Travis Scott cancels Day N Vegas Festival appearance as online petitions call for performance bans.
ABC13 looks at 56-page security plan for the event.
https://abc13.com/feature/astroworld-2021-festival-travis-scott-astro-fest-security/11213442/
Watch live updates from Houston stations ABC13 and KHOU-11 TV
