On Nov. 5, Travis Scott held an Astroworld concert in Houston, Texas. Over 50,000 people attended the show with the intention of watching the famous rapper perform. However, as Scott prepared to enter the stage, all the attendees rushed forward toward his stage. This crowd rush, along with the continuation of the concert throughout the chaos, led to a whirlpool of bodies in the center. People were forced against and over railings and ultimately eight people tragically passed.
Currently, three injured people are still in the hospital, according to Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña. There have been at least 18 lawsuits filed against the Astroworld event in Texas. The crowd of 50,000 was less than the outdoor area was designed to hold, since it could accommodate as many as 200,000. However, as fire marshals and safety officials designed emergency plans, the fear and concern about the crowd’s energy and the infamous history of Scott’s concerts continued to grow. Tragically, these fears came to fruition.
Shortly after Travis Scott began his performance, attendees began to flock toward his stage, eager to watch him perform. Survivors convey a chaotic and suffocating environment and even describe a physical ripple effect within the crowd. Bodies were pushed to the ground and even more bodies were piled on top of each other in a back and forth motion. Personal videos and descriptions of the event by attendees show the desperate cries for help and medical aid, as communication between those within the concert and officials on the outskirts seemed to be failed.
In videos, Scott seemed intent on continuing the concert, although cries for assistance and medical vehicles were screamed throughout the crowd. The rapper maintains that he had no idea the fatal extent of the crowd’s experiences and claims to have been confused when an ambulance arrived at the site, although he continued to perform the show’s set. The show officially concluded 30 minutes ahead of schedule, but nearly 40 minutes after the crowd crush and “mass causality event” as stated by Houston officials.
However, many attendees and critics of the concert have raised questions and concerns about the overall timeline of the event. Specifically, they wonder if officials could have interfered and ended the concert earlier. Chief Peña explained that had officials stepped in themselves, more lives could’ve been at risk, as well as forming a potential riot. Although, Chief Peña did state that the performer, Scott, has the ultimate responsibility and true power to safely pause a performance as well as help organize aid and assistance via sound system. Scott and his team are communicating and cooperating with officials during the investigation but have said little about specific questions and concerns about the events of the concert.
The dangerous events of the Astroworld concert and the miscommunication between officials present directly led to the death and injury of over 10 concertgoers. John Hilgert (14 years old), Brianna Rodriguez (16 years old), Jacob Jurinek (20 years old), Axel Avila (21 years old), Franco Patino (21 years old), Madison Dubiski (23 years old), Rodolfo Peña (23 years old) and Danish Baig (27 years old) are the tragic victims of Travis Scott’s Astroworld concert.
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