Eight people died Friday night and hundreds of others were injured during the opening night of a popular weekend music festival at NRG Park in Houston, Texas, USA, authorities said, ABC13 reported.
It happened at the third-annual Astroworld Festival, a sold-out concert event featuring multiple acts.
The worst of the incident began around 9:15 p.m. when the crowd of approximately 50,000 concert-goers began to move toward the front of the stage, according to Houston Fire Chief Samuel Pena.
"The crowd began to compress toward the front of the stage, and people began to panic," Pena said.
The view from SkyEye overhead Friday night showed the heavy police and fire department activity in the area of the event as organizers ended it early. The organizers, rapper Travis Scott and LiveNation, stopped the show when it was apparent that multiple people were hurt, according to Houston Police Chief Troy Finner.
While the most deadly moments happened after 9:30 p.m., Pena said more than 300 patients total had been treated at a field hospital since the event began, including people who were hurt during the worst moments. While names and ages of the casualties weren't known, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said one of the victims was 10-years-old.
Houston Fire Department and Harris County medics transported 23 people to hospitals, 17 of those patients were taken away during the worst of the ordeal, according to Pena, who also said CPR had to be performed on 11 of the victims. HFD had 55 units in-service for the festival, Pena said.
Festival founder Travis Scott, a rapper and Missouri City native, was joined on stage by Drake in a surprise appearance as the crowd surged.
The rest of the weekend's planned performances were canceled, and the area is now a crime scene as investigators work to find out what exactly happened.
While it was too early to know if the deaths or injuries were the result of criminal activity, Finner said his department investigating any possibilities.
Photo: Getty Images
Follow NEWS.am STYLE on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
22:15, March 28
Rebel Wilson hopes to spread 'positive message' by revealing she lost her virginity at 3519:47, March 28
Wine Story: How to choose right wine for Easter?17:02, March 28
Abu Dhabi plans to create paradise for gamers: World's first eSports island16:33, March 28
Latest Navitimer watch celebrates Breitling's historic connection to aviation, space15:11, March 28
Martin Scorsese to host, produce 'Saints' for Fox Nation14:10, March 28
Karl Lagerfeld's futuristic Paris apartment sells for $10.8M13:30, March 28
Odell Beckham Jr. breaks up with Kim Kardashian because of her desire to start family with him12:55, March 28
Julia Roberts to star in thriller directed by Luca Guadagnino12:13, March 28
Michael Jackson's 3 kids hit red carpet in honor of late father11:17, March 28
Kim Kardashian is sued over furniture10:29, March 28
Britney Spears losing weight, continues posting her naked photos23:15, March 27
The Italian model is so beautiful that many are sure that she is too good to be real