The tragic incident arose around 21:15 on Friday (02:15 GMT Saturday), according to the Houston Fire Chief, Sam Pena. Panic broke out as the crowd of 50,000 fans began to compress towards the stage during Travis Scotts performance, causing 11 people to go into cardiac arrest (including a child as young as 10), 8 of whom tragically passed away. According to the BBC online, some 300 people were treated for injuries following the crush.

“The crowd began to compress toward the front of the stage, and that caused some panic, and it started causing some injuries. People began to fall out, become unconscious, and it created additional panic.” Pena told reporters.

As soon as organisers, Live Nation, became aware of people sustaining injuries, the event was called off and the second and final night of the concert was cancelled. It is reported that Scott was forced to stop multiple times during his 75-minute performance, after noticing fans in distress and requesting that security check on their wellbeing and escort them safely out of the crowd. Elsewhere, other fans climbed camera platforms to try and signal for help.

Troy Finner, the Houston police chief has said that an investigation is underway to find out what happened at the festival which lead to this ‘mass-casualty event’. “It’s very important that none of us speculate, nobody has all the answers tonight,” he stated, during a press conference following the event.

Footage from earlier on at the festival, shows barriers being broken down and fans being trampled as crowds attempted to force their way through security gates. It is reported that VIP entrances were also breached, although no injuries have been reported from either of these incidents.

It is said that Scott is fully cooperating with Houston police to get to the bottom of this tragedy.