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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Entertainment
Zoe Delaney

Asake breaks silence as four fans left critical after suspected crush at O2 Brixton gig

Asake has issued a statement following the suspected crush at his concert last night that police say has left four fans fighting for their lives.

The singer says he still doesn't "have the full brief from the venue management" about what led to the incident that caused his gig to be abandoned, and he is in the process of reaching out to individuals injured.

Emergency services rushed to the O2 Academy on Stockwell Road following the reports of crowd trouble at 9.35pm on Thursday night [December 16].

Metropolitan Police say eight people have been taken to hospital, with four in a critical condition, after finding "a number of people with injuries believed to have been caused by crushing" ahead of Asake 's last scheduled gig in the U.K.

The singer, 27, has now spoken out about the events the O2 Academy on Stockwell Road, saying his heart is with those who were injured last night.

Asake's show last night was the third of three sold-out shows the singer had performed in Brixton (Getty Images)
The concert at London's O2 Academy Brixton was cancelled after safety concerns (@__93_Mide/Twitter)

Did you witness the scenes outside Asake's gig at the O2 in Brixton? Were you caught up in the crowd? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk

In a post shared to his Instagram Stories, he wrote: "My heart is with those were injured last night and caused any form of discomfort.

"I pray you get well soonest. I am also in the process of reaching out to individuals. I still do not have the full brief from the venue management themselves as to what led to the disruption at the entrance of The Brixton Academy, but we are thankful that all was peaceful at the end."

He continues to write: "For my people who enjoyed the beginning of my performance, I am so sorry that it was cut short. Thank you for your unbelievable love London.

"I love you too much! I'm looking forward to seeing you again in a bit."

Asake's fans have been supporting the star online following last night's abandoned gig (Instagram)
The singer shared a statement with his Instagram followers this morning (asakemusic/Instagram)

Revellers at London's O2 Academy in Brixton were said to have been locked outside in freezing temperatures last night, leading to some trying to force their way into the venue and the concert being cancelled.

Video footage of the event emerged on social media and appeared to show clashes between fans and police, along with a large emergency service presence at the scene.

Commander Ade Adelekan, Met Police Gold Commander, said of the video circulating online: "I am aware of video being shared on social media. I would ask people to be sensible about what they share, and not to post material that will be upsetting to those affected by this incident.

"Where force has been used by police officers, those officers know they have to be accountable for their actions. The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards will view all material, including Body Worn Video footage from the officers at the scene.

Scenes outside the venue in London were shared to social media in the wake of the suspected crush (@__93_Mide/Twitter)
Police issued a statement asking people to consider the impact of what they post online (@DammySNM/Twitter)

"In relation to a clip being widely shared, I can confirm that no police dogs were deployed to the location."

Asake's gig last night was abandoned part-way through due to the scenes outside. It was the third of three sold-out shows the Nigerian singer, birth name Ahmed Ololade, had performed in Brixton.

The cancellation announcement was made on stage and met with uproar.

Speaking to the fans they said: "The reason we have to stop the show is because they have breached the doors. You've got 3,000 people have broken the doors outside and because of security the police have asked us to close the show."

As boos reportedly began to drown the messaging out, they continued: "This is nothing to do with us," before adding: "This is basically - listen to what I am saying..."

Met Police issued a statement following videos taken outside the venue being shared on social media (@DammySNM/Twitter)
They urge people with footage to come forward and share any videos they have (@DammySNM/Twitter)

"Listen, for your own safety, for your own safety, listen please. For your own safety, please, please, please. There are people who've breached the door. They have broken in and security are trying to help with it."

They went on to tell fans in the venue who had purchased a ticket for the show that a refund would be available.

The Metropolitan Police issued the following statement: "Detectives are investigating the circumstances which led to four people sustaining critical injuries in Brixton.

"Police were called at 21:35hrs on Thursday, 15 December to the O2 Academy on Stockwell Road, SW9 following reports that a large number of people were attempting to force entry to the venue. Officers, London Ambulance Service (LAS) and London Fire Brigade attended and found a number of people with injuries believed to have been caused by crushing.

"Eight people were taken by ambulance to hospital, four of whom remain in a critical condition. LAS treated two other less seriously injured people at the scene.

"An urgent investigation is under way led by detectives from Specialist Crime. Cordons remain in place at the location as officers continue work at the scene. Nobody has been arrested."

Any witnesses who are yet to speak with police are asked to call 101 ref 6725/15Dec. If you have mobile phone footage that may assist police, please make contact via @MetCC on Twitter.

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