ASTROWORLD: Crisis and Aftermath

On November 5, 2021, Travis Scott’s music festival Astroworld went from seemingly normal to chaotic and deadly. Tragedy struck as a crowd surge began to occur when famed rapper Drake appeared. Eight people were killed, and dozens more injured.  Crowd surges at events are nothing new, but it is very rare for casualties to reach this magnitude.  Details are still coming about the tragic events that took place last Friday.

Before his performance began, people described being squeezed and crushed.  Concert-goers began to faint and some went unconscious and that’s when things took a turn for the worse.  

“The crowd was squishing me so much that I felt like I couldn’t breathe, I started screaming for help… I felt so scared, like I was going to die” said Emily Munguia, a 22 year old who attended the festival. The eight people who died were Irza Baig (27), Rodolfo Peña (23), Madison Dubiski (23), Franco Patiño (21), Jacob Jurinke (20), John Hilgert (14), Axel Acosta (21), and Brianna Rodriguez (16).

The organizer of the event was Travis Scott and other companies sponsored, such as Live Nation and ScoreMore Holdings. There are already more than fifteen lawsuits already filed against him, he is in a lot of trouble. Lawsuits are being filed because he proceeded to perform even after seeing emergency vehicles move through the crowds of people.  Live Nation Entertainment and ScoreMore Holdings are being sued as well as is performer Drake, who was also out performing during the mass crowd surges. 

Scott’s case is not being helped by past circumstances. Specifically, in 2015 at Lallapaloosa, he was charged with encouraging fans to ignore security. To this, he plead guilty so attorneys will most likely use this as evidence of negligence.

Over 300 attendees were treated in a field hospital that was set up by the festival.  What should have been a fun night tragically turned into something horrible.  Both Travis Scott and Drake made statements following the incidents. “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” said Travis Scott. Drake had this to say: “My heart is broken for the families and friends of those who lost their lives and for anyone who is suffering. I will continue to pray for all of them, and will be of service in any way I can. May God be with you all.”