Sabrina Valle and Erwin Seba

HOUSTON, Texas (Reuters) – Crowds rushed forward to see the Astroworld Festival’s main performer. This caused chaos and crushed bodies at the concert. Fortunately, the victims were able to escape the disaster on Friday night.

In the first days of weekend-long event, at least 8 people were killed and scores more were hurt. The police have launched a criminal investigation. Around 300 victims were treated. 11 of them received cardiac arrest treatment.

Eyewitnesses who were interviewed by Reuters said that fans were sometimes crushed or trampled before the main acts took to the stage. Participants said that people were already on edge, throwing water bottles and hurling stones at the choke points of COVID-19 test centers and areas for merchandise sales.

Anthony Mendiola (22) from San Antonio Texas, stated that chaos reigned throughout the day when people flooded the security personnel and overwhelmed facilities. Although police officers and security personnel were on site throughout the park, he stated that there was “just not enough”.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that 528 Houston Police officers and 755 private security personnel were employed by Festival organizer Live Nation to work at the event.

“It felt like a riot. There were people throwing out stuff, objects flying everywhere,” said Albert Merza, 43, a supermarket manager, who saw fans attempting to jump fences to get inside and a “lot of crazy behavior.”

Jonathan De Leon moved on as the crowd gathered around Travis Scott, the headliner, and pushed them all toward the main stage. Some fell to the ground, while others were shoved behind.

Job Ramos (21), from Kennewick in Washington had also attended the Rolling Loud New York festival last month, which was billed as being the largest rap festival on earth. Houston has had more people than Houston, he stated, adding that Houston’s mosh-pits were too frightening for regular concert-goers.

Pablo Longoria (a Houston-based college student at 19), said that when Drake and Travis Scott appeared unannounced on the stage, it caused a stir in the crowd.

Longoria stated, “Suddenly it was as if there were thirteen mosh pits.” He said that “people were falling down” and “people were being covered in piles,” including one woman, who was covered by three other women who fell after her.

Ramos said, “It is not an easy task getting out of those moosh pits.” Ramos said that it feels like you aren’t getting oxygen when you’re trapped in a Mosh Pit. The only thing you breathe is carbon dioxide.