Houston Fire Chief Sam Pena confirms that at least eight people died during a performance at the third annual Travis Scott Astroworld Festival event at NRG Park Friday night. More than a hundred other people were injured.
The attendance was estimated at 50,000 when the crowd began rushing the stage at around 9:38pm, causing panic, pandemonium, and a stampede.
23 individuals were transported by ambulance to hospitals, CPR performed on 11 of them.
At a press conference Friday night, Chief Pena praised first responders. “I cannot say enough about the incredible work the Houston Fire Department, the Houston Police Department, law enforcement, Live National that was out here trying to secure what was a really chaotic event. That’s what we know right now.”
367 police officers and 241 Security Guards were on site at NRG Park for the event.
Saturday’s event is cancelled.
Houston police have established a staging area at the Wyndham Hotel at 8686 Kirby for families to reunite.
There had been a disturbance at the entrance earlier in the first day of the three day event.
Over 300 people seen at the field hospital throughout the day.
Names have of victims have not been release, and cause of the deaths will be determined by the Medical Examiner’s Office.
photo: Getty Images