Travis Scott Astroworld concert dead aged between 14 and 27 as 8 killed in stampede and 13 remain hospitalized
THE eight people who were killed in the crowd surge at rapper Travis Scott's Astroworld Festival range in age from 14 to 27, according to Houston's mayor.
Mayor Sylvester Turner also announced on Saturday that 13 people were still hospitalized and called the Friday night incident "a tragedy on so many different levels."
Witnesses at the music festival said the crowd surged towards the stage as Scott was performing.
The sudden movement squeezed fans so tightly together that some were unable to breathe or move their arms.
An estimated 50,000 people were in attendance at the festival at NRG Park in Houston on Friday.
Officials in Texas said the crowd began to "compress towards the front of the stage" at around 9.15pm, sparking panic.
According to Houston Police Department Chief Troy Finer, 25 arrests were made at the festival, with 23 for trespassing, one for marijuana possession, and one for public intoxication.
Addressing a press briefing in the early hours of this morning, Houston Fire Chief Samuel Pena said: “We had at least eight confirmed fatalities today. We had scores of individuals injured at this event.”
Read our Travis Scott Astroworld Festival live blog for the very latest news and updates...
He added that a "mass casualty incident" was triggered at 9.38pm and investigations are ongoing.
Chief Pena told reporters: "At approximately 9.15pm the crowd began to compress towards 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."
Harrowing footage on social media shows the distressing scenes as paramedics perform CPR on several people in the crowd.
SCOTT'S STATEMENT ON TRAGEDY
In a statement on Saturday, Travis Scott said he was "absolutely devastated" by the huge loss of life.
The rapper wrote: “I’m absolutely devastated by what took place last night.
"My prayers go out to the families and all those impacted by what happened at Astroworld Festival."
He begged security to make sure they were all okay and get them out of the crowd safely.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Those who died had not been identified as of Saturday afternoon and a reunification post was set up at the nearby Wyndham Hotel to help families locate their loved ones.
A medical examiner will investigate the cause of deaths at the festival.