UPDATE: Two teenagers, ages 14 and 16, were among the eight people who died Friday, Nov. 5, following a "mass casualty incident" at Travis Scott's Astroworld Festival, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and city police said at a new conference on Saturday, Nov. 6. The cause of their deaths remains unknown.
Police said 25 people were hospitalized. Houston Police Chief Troy Finner told reporters that a 10-year-old child remains in critical condition.
Police confirmed people were trampled at the concert and are trying to find out what caused the crowd surge. The incident remains under investigation and homicide and narcotics divisions are involved. Turner said the probe could take weeks, adding, "There are a lot of unanswered questions."
____________
At least eight people have been confirmed dead by authorities after a "mass casualty incident" at Travis Scott's Astroworld festival.
The concert event, held at Houston's NRG Park on Friday, Nov. 5, was attended by approximately 50,000 people, including the artist's girlfriend Kylie Jenner and her sister Kendall Jenner. They were unhurt.
During a press conference overnight, authorities said that just after 9 p.m. local time, the crowd "began to compress towards the front of the stage" causing panic and injuries. "People began to fall out, become unconscious," authorities said, "and it created additional panic."
Asuncion Cortez, a Public Information Officer with Houston Fire Department also told E! News, "During the festivities up until the end of the festival, approximately 300 people were treated on site for minor injuries." According to officials, 11 people transported to hospitals were in cardiac arrest.
As Cortez explained, the cause of death for the eight individuals has not yet been determined. The Medical Examiner's office will conduct an investigation. "We are working closely with all agencies involved and set up a reunification site to assist families that have not heard from their loved ones that attended the festival," Cortez's statement continued. "This information can be found on HFD Twitter account."
Following the tragic incident, Scott said in a statement on Twitter, "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. Houston PD has my total support as they continue to look into the 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 NRG Park for their immediate response and support. Love You All."
The Astroworld Fest Instagram account confirmed that the festival, initially a two-day event, will no longer be held on Saturday, Nov. 6.
"Our hearts are with the Astroworld Festival Family tonight—especially those we lost and their loved ones," the festival's statement read in part. "We are focused on supporting local officials however we can."
"As authorities mentioned in their press conference earlier," the statement later continued. "They are looking into the series of cardiac arrests that took place. If you have any relevant information on this, please reach out to @HoustonPolice."
Promoter Live Nation said in their own statement, "Heartbroken for those lost and impacted at Astroworld last night. We will continue working to provide as much information and assistance as possible to the local authorities as they investigate the situation."
This article was originally published on Nov. 6 at 5:49 a.m.