Eight dead, several injured at US rapper Travis Scott's Astroworld Festival

"The crowd began to compress towards the front of the stage, and that caused some panic, and it started causing some injuries," the Houston fire chief said.

Photo: Apple Music

Houston: Officials in Texas say at least eight people are dead and several others injured in a crowd surge at the Astroworld Festival. Compression of the crowd toward the stage occurred just after 9 PM Friday while rapper Travis Scott was performing, Houston Fire Chief told reporters at a news conference.

"The crowd began to compress towards the front of the stage, and that caused some panic, and it started causing some injuries," the fire chief said.

"People began to fall out, become unconscious, and it created additional panic," he added.

@HoustonFire Chief Peña and Harris County leaders brief media in regards to MCI at Astroworld Festival. @FireChiefofHFD pic.twitter.com/fisQXVT9Gp — Houston Fire Dept (@HoustonFire) November 6, 2021

The show was called off shortly after several people began suffering injuries.

Officials transported 17 people to the hospital, including 11 who were in cardiac arrest. 

If families have not heard from a loved one that attended this evenings Astroworld festival, a reunification center has been established at 8686 Kirby (Wyndam Hotel). A hotline has not been established at the moment @FireChiefofHFD @houstonpolice — Houston Fire Dept (@HoustonFire) November 6, 2021

Many people were also treated at the scene at NRG Park, where a field hospital had been set up.

Approximately 50,000 people were in attendance at the festival, the official informed.