Houston Leaders Seek Clues For Concert Surge That Killed 8

Samantha Gilstrap, AP,

The Latest:

Authorities say they plan to watch video, interview witnesses and review concert protocols to determine how eight people died at a Houston music festival when fans suddenly surged toward the stage to watch rapper Travis Scott.

City officials say they are in the early stages of investigating the pandemonium that unfolded Friday evening at Astroworld, a sold-out, two-day event in NRG Park.

An estimated 50,000 people were in attendance.

The dead ranged in age from 14 to 27, and 13 people were still hospitalized Saturday.

Mayor Sylvester Turner says it’s too early to draw conclusions

Original Story (10/6/21):

HOUSTON (AP) — Authorities say at least eight people are dead and many others hurt after the crowd at a Houston music festival surged toward the stage, triggering a panic.

The chaos happened Friday night during a performance by rapper Travis Scott at the sold-out Astroworld music festival.

The fire chief says 17 people were taken to hospitals, including 11 who were in cardiac arrest.

In a video posted to social media, Scott could be seen stopping the concert at one point and asking for help for someone in the audience.

Police Chief Troy Finner called for calm and urged people not to jump to conclusions about what caused the surge.