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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Sara-Aisha Kent

Travis Scott concert: Child aged 14 one of eight killed at tragic event

One of the victims who died at Travis Scott's Astroworld Festival in Houston on Friday was only aged 14.

Eight people tragically died at the festival and the Mayor of Houston, Sylvester Turner, told during a press conference that the people killed were between the ages of 14-27.

He told during the speech, that took place on Saturday, that other victims included a 16-year-old, two 21-year-olds, two people aged 23 and a 27-year-old, while the age of one victim is unknown.

Twenty-five people were admitted to the hospital and 13 are still receiving treatment, including five under the age of 18.

Houston Police Chief Troy Finner confirmed during the press conference that a member of security passed out at the festival after appearing to be injected in the neck by a concert-goer.

He added that the security officer was revived with Narcan.

Fans died after a crowd surge while Travis was performing at around 9pm on Friday for the opening night of the two-day festival.

It has been reported that the rapper had to pause his set multiple times during his 75-minute performance after seeing fans in distress in the crowd as well as asking security to help.

Speaking out about the disaster via Instagram Stories on Saturday, Travis explained how he had been unaware of the tragedy unfolding before him – and urged witnesses to step forward.

He said: "I just want to send out prayers to the ones who were lost last night. We are working right now to identify their families so we can help assist them through this tough time.

A 14-year-old died at Travis Scott's Astroworld Festival (WireImage,)

"My fans really mean the world to me and I always wanna leave them with a positive experience and anytime I can make out anything that’s going on, I stop the show and help them get the help they need, you know?

"I could just never imaging the severity of the situation."

He continued: "We’ve been working closely with everyone to just try to get to the bottom of this. The city of Houston, HPD fire department, everyone to help us figure this out.

"If you have any information, please just contact the local authorities. Everybody continue to just keep your prayers.

"I mean, I’m honestly just devastated and I could never imagine anything like this happening. I’m going to do everything I can to keep you guys updated. To keep you guys informed on what’s going on. I love you all."

Travis expressed his disbelief over the Astroworld disaster via Instagram the day after the incident (Instagram)
The star asked for prayers for the festival victims (Instagram)

Earlier on Saturday, Travis spoke out about the tragic incident at the event with a statement on Twitter.

He penned: "I am 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 wrote.

Travis added: "Houston PD has my total support as they continue to look into this tragic loss of life.

"I am committed to working together with the Houston community to heal and support the families in need. Thank you to Houston PD, Fire Department and the NRG Park for their immediate response and support."

Houston Fire Department transported 17 people to hospitals, with 11 of those people suffering cardiac arrests.

Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said: "We had at least eight confirmed fatalities tonight and scores of individuals that were injured.

"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."

Officials said a crowd began to rush towards the stage at about 9.15pm local time and revellers began passing out because they couldn't breathe, KHOU reported.

Eight people died at the event (Apple Music)

Within 15 minutes, overwhelmed officials had declared a mass casualty incident because there were so many victims.

Houston Fire Chief Samuel Pena said hundreds of people were treated at the scene for injuries.

"The crowd began to compress toward the front of the stage, and people began to panic," he said.

Mr Pena said there were around 50,000 people in the crowd when it happened.

Officials also revealed that more than 300 attendees sought medical attention at a field hospital that was set up at the venue.

The cause of the surge is currently being investigated by police and promoters Live Nation.

Other victims included a 16-year-old, two 21-year-olds, two people aged 23 and a 27-year-old, while the age of one victim is unknown (Apple Music)

Travis’ set was scheduled to be streamed live on Apple Music to 167 countries and regions, but it was stopped when the conditions became too dangerous and people began getting hurt.

The second day of the festival has been cancelled due to Friday night’s tragedies.

As well as performances from some of hip hop’s biggest names, Astroworld also featured a huge fairground and carnival attractions with prizes such as limited-edition Nike trainers.

A statement from event bosses said: "Our hearts are with the Astroworld Festival family tonight - especially those we lost and their loved ones.

Fans died after a crowd surge (Instagram)
The second day of the festival has been cancelled (Instagram)

"We are focused on supporting local officials however we can. With that in mind the festival will no longer be held on Saturday.

"As authorities mentioned in their press conference earlier, they are looking into the series of cardiac arrests that took place. If you have any relevant information on this, please each out to @HoustonPolice.

"Thank you to our partners at the Houston Police Department, Fire Department and NRG Park for their response and support."

Kylie Jenner, who is pregnant with her and Travis' second child, was at the event with their little girl, Stormi.

She has been slammed after she shared several clips from her partner's Astroworld Festival - but one showed the flashing red and blue lights of a police car or ambulance slowly trundling though hordes of attendees at Houston’s NRG Park.

As well as performances from some of hip hop’s biggest names, Astroworld also featured a huge fairground and carnival attractions with prizes such as limited-edition Nike trainers.

A statement from event bosses said: "Our hearts are with the Astroworld Festival family tonight - especially those we lost and their loved ones.

300 attendees sought medical attention at a field hospital that was set up at the venue. (ABC13)

Kylie Jenner, who is pregnant with her and Travis' second child, was at the event with their little girl, Stormi.

She has been slammed after she shared several clips from her partner's Astroworld Festival - but one showed the flashing red and blue lights of a police car or ambulance slowly trundling though hordes of attendees at Houston’s NRG Park.

Some of her followers took deep offence to her sharing what might have been the “bodies” of dead or seriously injured fans being taken away for medical attention or life-saving measures.

One tweeted: “omg i literally can’t, kylie posted an instagram story of the concert and you can CLEARLY SEE THE PARAMEDICS TRYING TO GET THROUGH LIKE WTF.”

Others added: “ Kylie Jenner sitting there on her throne nice and safe WITH Stormi ffs whilst this is going on and she still has not taken it down. What a f****d up world we live in.”

Travis shared a statement on Saturday (Twitter/TravisScott)

Another said: “Kylie Jenner still has her astroworld stories up on IG, as if it was a good time where nothing bad happened?”

Following the event, several people have come forward to share their experience.

An ICU nurse who attended Travis' concert recalled the moment she woke up from passing out and saw bodies lying nearby her.

Madeline Eskins was near the front of the stage when she got crushed by other concertgoers and admitted she thought she was going to die.

"I’ve seen people die. Nothing could have prepared me for what I witnessed last night," the 23-year-old nurse said.

"I was about to tell my boyfriend to tell my son that I loved him, because I really thought that I was not gonna see him again. And before I could say anything, I fainted."

Madeline said she was 'crowd surfed' to safety thanks to her boyfriend and another person.

"I wake up with a bottle of water in my lap, and I look around and there are just bodies getting carried back," she told The Daily Beast.

"The security guard dropped me off and left to go pull more people out."

Madeline ended up in the VIP tent where she assisted the medical staff in giving CPR and checking people's pulses.

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